Methods of forming sintered articles and associated assemblies and components

A die assembly of a sintering apparatus comprising:

• an upper punch;
• a lower punch comprising an insert defining one or more first through holes and a spacer wherein the one or more first through holes and an upper surface of the spacer define one or more first cavities configured to receive a feed material;
• and
• a die defining a second through hole configured to at least partially receive the upper punch and the lower punch, the second through hole and at least one of the upper punch and the lower punch defining a second cavity configured to receive a filler material.

A die assembly of a sintering apparatus comprising:

• a lower punch;
• an upper punch, at least one of the lower punch and the upper punch including one or more features defining one or more first cavities configured to receive a feed material;
• and
• a die defining a through hole configured to at least partially receive the lower punch and the upper punch, the lower punch, the upper punch, and the die together defining a second cavity configured to receive a filler material.