Award: Award of Distinction
Year: 2002
Category: Ferrous
Market Segment: Automotive

Description:
The award was given to a random rotor assembly used in a vane-style automotive transmission fluid-pump in the GM 4T65-E four-speed transmission for Aztek, Impala, LeSabre, Park Avenue, Regal, Monte Carlo, Montana, Venture and Aurora models. Made from a bonded prealloyed steel powder, the rotor is fabricated to a density of 6.9 g/cm³ and has an ultimate tensile strength of 827 MPa (120,000 psi) and a yield strength of 448 MPa (65,000 psi). Induction hardening of the spline improves tooth strength, fatigue resistance and wear properties, enabling the part to withstand critical tests. PM provided an estimated annual savings of $1 million.