Calcium Stearate is used in the dry powder form as a wiredrawing lubricant. Calcium, Zinc and Aluminum Stearates are all used in various metal forming processes, such as stamping, extrusion and milling. However, it is even more common to use stearates as dye ejection lubricants in powdered metals. Zinc Stearate is favored in this application because it not only allows release of compressed green parts from the compacting mold, it is almost completely fugitive during the heat cycle, thereby minimizing effects on the sintering process. Small amounts of Lithium and Calcium Stearate are also used as powdered metal lubricants. Particle size is critical in this application because it has a major impact on powder flow and, hence, on mold filling time.