**Analysis of the Current Development Status of China's Powder Metallurgy Industry Segments**

### I. Structural Materials: Dominated by the Core Market, with Continuously Expanding Application Areas

**Market Size and Growth**

Structural materials represent the largest segment within the powder metallurgy industry. In 2024, sales of industry components exceeded 7.8 billion yuan, accounting for 62% of the total demand for powder metallurgy products. This growth is primarily driven by upgrading demands in traditional sectors such as automotive, home appliances, and construction machinery, as well as the explosive expansion of emerging fields like new-energy vehicles and robotics.

**Deepening Application Areas**

- **Automotive Sector**: Powder metallurgy structural components are widely used in critical areas such as engines, transmission systems, and braking systems. Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles average 6.5 kg of powder metallurgy parts per vehicle, while new-energy vehicles, though requiring fewer engine components, still maintain high usage in parts like motors and gearboxes. In 2023, the penetration rate of powder metallurgy components in new-energy vehicles reached 32%, with expectations that it will rise to over 40% by 2025.

- **Aerospace Sector**: Powder metallurgy products such as high-temperature alloy turbine disks and titanium alloy structural components meet the demanding performance requirements under extreme operating conditions. Several models of aircraft landing gear parts have already been delivered in bulk.

- **Emerging Fields**: High-precision planetary gear racks for robotic joints rely on powder metallurgy near-net-shaping technology to enhance transmission efficiency; the application scale of Powder Injection Molding (MIM) processes—used in 5G base station cooling modules and smartphone frames—is expected to reach 8.5 billion yuan by 2024, with an annual growth rate maintained at around 12%.

**Technological Breakthroughs and Trends**

- **High Performance Enhancement**: Through compositional optimization and hot isostatic pressing, we have developed new products such as high-toughness alloys and gradient functional materials, significantly improving their overall performance.

- **Precision Manufacturing**: A fusion of technologies such as 3D printing, isostatic pressing, and microwave sintering enables rapid fabrication of complex structural components with tailored performance.

- **Green Transformation**: Processes such as bio-based materials, biodegradable film technologies, and solvent-free lamination are becoming more widespread, while carbon footprint tracking systems are driving full-lifecycle visualization.

### II. Friction and Anti-Friction Materials: Steady Demand in Automotive and Aerospace Sectors, with Emerging Technological Advantages

**Market Position and Growth**

Friction materials and anti-friction materials provide braking and wear-reducing components for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and machinery, holding a strategically important position. In 2024, the automotive industry accounted for 45% of the total demand for powder metallurgy products, with steady growth in demand for components like brake systems and transmission systems.

**Technological Advantages and Applications**

- **High Performance**: Friction materials manufactured using powder metallurgy processes exhibit high wear resistance and excellent thermal stability, meeting the demanding requirements of extreme operating conditions.

- **Lightweighting**: The application of friction-reducing materials in the aerospace field has effectively lowered aircraft weight, enhancing fuel efficiency.

- **Customization**: Develop friction and anti-friction materials with tailored performance characteristics to meet the specific needs of various vehicle models and aircraft.

### III. Cemented Carbides: Production Steadily Grows, Technological Iterations Accelerate

**Market Size and Growth**

Cemented carbide is a significant product of powder metallurgy technology. In 2024, China's cemented carbide production reached 51,200 tons, representing a year-on-year increase of 0.99%, underscoring China's position as a global leader in cemented carbide manufacturing. With a density far exceeding that of traditional cast alloys, cemented carbide plays a critical role in heavy industry.

**Technological Iteration and Application**

- **High Performance Enhancement**: Develop new products such as ultra-fine-grained cemented carbides and coated cemented carbides to improve hardness and wear resistance.

- **Precision Machining**: Utilizing techniques such as precision grinding and electrical discharge machining to achieve high-precision processing of cemented carbide tools and molds.

- **Eco-friendly**: Employing green production processes that minimize pollution and energy consumption, thereby reducing environmental impact.

### IV. Powder Metallurgy Magnetic Materials: Core Components of the Electronics Industry, with Production Continuously Rising

**Market Size and Growth**

Powder metallurgy magnetic materials are an essential component in the field of magnetic materials. In 2024, China's output of permanent magnet materials reached 279,500 tons, with sintered neodymium-iron-boron blanks accounting for 274,500 tons. These materials are widely used to manufacture magnetic devices that convert, transmit, and store energy and information, playing a crucial role in advancing the electronics industry.

**Product Categories and Applications**

- **Permanent Magnet Materials**: These include samarium-cobalt rare-earth permanent magnets, neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets, ferrite permanent magnets, and more, widely used in applications such as motors, speakers, and magnetic levitation systems.

- **Soft magnetic materials**: Used in transformers, inductors, sensors, and more, these materials feature high permeability and low coercivity.

- **Technology Trends**: Sintered neodymium-iron-boron magnets produced via powder metallurgy dominate the market, while bonded neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet materials achieve performance enhancements through advanced composite technologies.

### V. Metal Injection Molding Products: A Blue-Ocean Market Emerges, with Technology Bridging the Gaps of Traditional Processes

**Market Attractiveness and Growth**

The Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process complements the compression molding process.