In conventional powder metallurgy manufacture, the material is compacted with applied pressure at room temperature and then sintered by elevated temperature at atmospheric pressure. With P/M hot pressing, the loose powder is subjected to pressure while it is also at elevated temperature. It would appear, therefore, that hot pressing could produce a finished part in a single operation and would be a more economical and attractive manufacturing process. What features have been overlooked in this argument that would tend to favor the press-and-sinter sequence for conventional manufacture?