P M IN NORTH-AMERICA

The North American P/M industry has enjoyed an extraordinary period of growth with metal powder shipments reaching record levels in 1995. Th e use of powder forged connecting rods began in 1987 and continues to be designed into new GM, Ford and Chrysler engines. Through the end of 1996 more than 75 million P/F rods will have been made in the U.S. St ainless steel and aluminum P/M are growing along with warm compaction and metal injection molding. New applications of P/M and innovative pr ocesses are discussed, such as the Gold forming of powders to full den sity and dynamic magnetic compaction. Trends in advanced particulate m aterials are also reviewed.