Metal cobalt powders of well-controlled size and morphology were synthesized by thermal decomposition under hydrogen of precipitated cobalt oxalates. Green compacts were prepared by uniaxial pressing of metal powders at 290 MPa. The bending green strength of the metal compacts was measured. A precipitation from ammonium oxalate and oxalic acid gives rise to the formation of beta-CoC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O particles of parallelepipedic and acicular morphology, respectively. An increase in the length to diameter ratio of the precursor particles favours an entanglement of the elementary grains during the thermal decomposition. Therefore, irregular and rough metal particles have been obtained. This specific morphology favours a mechanical interlocking of the particles during the compaction, leading to high values of green density and green strength of the metal compacts. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.