PROCESS ECONOMICS AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN P M AUTOMOTIVE PARTS/

The two principal reasons for choosing to use a P/M product are identi fied as product cost effectiveness and product uniqueness, Current aut omotive applications are identified which are based on each of these r easons or a combination of the two, The underlying reasons for the cos t effectiveness of P/M are discussed and specific examples of the comp etition between P/M and more conventional process routes for specific product applications are highlighted. The historical progression and c urrent status of PM automotive component applications is discussed. Fi nally, the attack on more highly stressed applications is identified a s the prime need for future growth of the P/M automotive business and some of the more important technological developments aimed at this ta rget are highlighted.