P/M aluminum structural parts - Manufacturing and metallurgical fundamentals

The growth of P/M aluminum structural parts in the automotive market is cre ating opportunities for light-weight alloys in cost-effective high volume a pplications. Successful implementation and acceptance by the automotive ind ustry of aluminum cam caps is spurring work on P/M aluminum alloys using th e conventional press, sinter, repress process. The effect of alloying addit ions on metallurgical changes and on the P/M process are considered, and th e compositions and properties of the common aluminum alloys reviewed. Alumi num P/M is assessed in relation to the availability of raw materials for cu rrent and potential products and markets.