A method is provided for producing a
diffusion alloyed
powder consisting of an iron or iron-based core
powder having particles of an alloying
powder containing Cu and Ni bonded to the surface of the core particles, comprising providing a unitary alloying powder capable of forming particles of a Cu and Ni containing
alloy, mixing the unitary alloying powder with the core powder, and heating the mixed powders in a non-oxidizing or
reducing atmosphere to a temperature of 500-1000° C. during a period of 10-120 minutes to convert the alloying powder into a Cu and Ni containing
alloy, so as to
diffusion bond particles of the Cu and Ni
alloy to the surface of the iron or iron-based core powder. The alloying powder may be a Cu and Ni alloy,
oxide,
carbonate or other suitable compound that on heating will form a Cu and Ni alloy. Preferably, the total content of Cu and Ni is at most 20 wt %, the
particle size distribution of the Cu and Ni alloying powder is such that D50 is less than 15 μm, and the ratio Cu / Ni in wt % is between 9 / 1 and 3 / 1. The compacted and sintered parts produced from the
diffusion alloyed iron-based powder present a minimum of variation of dimensional change from component to component.