Abstract
	The present investigation was carried out on seven samples of electrolytic iron powders prepared from ferrous sulphate by-product which is one of the wastes of the Egyptian Iron and Steel Company. Sieve size analysis, scanning electron microscope, reflected light microscope and densities measurements were used to elucidate both the primary and secondary characteristics of the different powders. The primary characteristics included particle shape, surface texture, size and microstructure, while the secondary characteristics included apparent and tap densities, interparticle friction, flow time, compressibility and sinterability. The effect of the primary characteristics on the secondary characteristics was studied throughout the investigation. The iron particles for the different samples used were slightly porous and had a polycrystalline appearance. For powders which had rough particle surface, the apparent density was higher for the powder with higher average particle size, while for the powders which had relatively smooth particle surface, the apparent density was lower for the powder with high average particle size.  The green density, densification parameter and sinterability of compacts made of fine powders were higher than those of compacts made of coarse powders.