The invention relates to an iron-based powder composition which, in addition to a substantially non-alloyed Fe-powder, comprises Sn and P, optionally lubricant and at most 1.0 % by weight of impurities. In the composition, Sn and P are present as an SnP-alloy in powder form, or else Sn is present in the form of a metallic powder and P is present in the form of a ferrophosphorous powder, the Sn-content, based on the total iron-based powder composition, being at least 4.5 % by weight, and the individual particles, which contain Sn and P, being present as particles substantially separate from the particles in the non-alloyed Fe-powder. Finally, Sn and P may also be present as an SnP-alloy in powder form, and Sn may also be present as a metallic powder. This composition may optionally also contain P as a ferrophophorous powder.