粉末冶金与失蜡铸造之间的选择一般取决于零件的复杂程度以及采购量的大小。
The choice between powder metallurgy and wax-loss casting generally depends on the complexity of parts and the size of purchases.
失蜡铸造是一种高精度成型的工艺，使用的合金范围和传统粉末冶金工艺、注射成型工艺及粉末锻造工艺相同。
Loss wax casting is a high precision forming process, which uses the same alloy range as traditional powder metallurgy process, injection molding process and powder forging process.
当零件形状采用粉末冶金工艺无法成型或当采用粉末冶金工艺需要大量切削加工时，使用失蜡铸造工艺可能是适宜的。
When the shape of parts can not be formed by powder metallurgy process or when a large amount of cutting is required by powder metallurgy process, wax loss casting process may be appropriate.
零件形状简单的可以采用传统的粉末冶金工艺。对于小型的、形状复杂的零件，金属注射成型工艺往往是一种可替代失蜡铸造工艺的经济的成形工艺。
The traditional powder metallurgy process can be used for simple parts. For small and complex parts, metal injection moulding is often an economical moulding process which can replace wax-loss casting process.
失蜡铸造工艺的工具费用虽比传统粉末冶金工艺、金属注射成型工艺或粉末锻造工艺低，但生产费用高。
Although the tool cost of wax-loss casting process is lower than that of traditional powder metallurgy process, metal injection moulding process or powder forging process, the production cost is higher.