In April 2006 the winners in the 2006 Powder Metallurgy Excellence Awards competition were recognized for outstanding new components made by the powder metallurgy (PM) process.



PMG Ohio Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, won the award of distinction in the automotive transmission category for a one way clutch race (OWC race) made for General Motors Powertrain, Pontiac, Michigan. The high-strength part is used in the GM 4T40/45E automatic transmission, operating in Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn vehicles.

The PM race undergoes a proprietary surface densification process (DensiForm®) on the part’s complex geometry. The process ensures full density on the surface, a contact fatigue strength of more than 524,000 psi (3,615 MPa), and a tensile fatigue strength of 111,000 psi (765 MPa). These values match forged heat-treated steels.

         

The race’s minimum bulk density is 7.4 g/cm³. The DensiForm® technology offers a cost effective alternative to conventional forging, powder forging or broaching a steel tube.