Abstract: An additive manufactured piston having a crown portion and a skirt portion form of an aluminum-cerium-silicon alloy. The piston includes a least one recess pocket in an unstressed region located at an interface between an inner surface of the crown portion and an outer surface of the skirt portion. The skirt portion includes an outer panel surface defining an external rib adjacent a peripheral end surface, at least one stiffening rib extending from a pin boss to a skirt end, and a wall thickness of between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm in a region between the external rib and the at least one stiffening rib. The skirt portion further includes an internal first rib having a width W1 on a thrust side portion and an internal second rib having a width W2 located on an anti-thrust side portion, in which W1 is greater than W2.

Abstract: A component includes a base formed of a majority of a first metallic element and a shell adhered to the base. The shell includes an inner portion having an inner surface contacting the base, an outer portion having an outer surface, and an intermediate zone connecting the inner portion to the outer portion. The shell is formed of a multi-element transition material, where the multi-element transition material includes a majority of a second metallic element at the inner surface and a majority of a third metallic element at the outer surface. The intermediate zone includes both the second and third metallic elements. Each of the first, second, and third metallic elements are different from one another. The component may be an automotive shaft. A method of forming the component may include depositing first and second powders on the base to form the inner and outer portions and the intermediate zone.

Abstract: A component includes a base formed of a majority of a first metallic element and a shell adhered to the base. The shell includes an inner portion having an inner surface contacting the base, an outer portion having an outer surface, and an intermediate zone connecting the inner portion to the outer portion. The shell is formed of a multi-element transition material, where the multi-element transition material includes a majority of a second metallic element at the inner surface and a majority of a third metallic element at the outer surface. The intermediate zone includes both the second and third metallic elements. Each of the first, second, and third metallic elements are different from one another. The component may be an automotive shaft. A method of forming the component may include depositing first and second powders on the base to form the inner and outer portions and the intermediate zone.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insert for an aluminum piston comprises applying pressure to a composition that comprises aluminum. The composition is deformed to form the insert for aluminum piston. The insert comprises an aluminum alloy and the insert functions as a ring carrier. Disclosed herein too is an article that comprises an insert for a piston. The article is manufactured from a composition that comprises aluminum. The insert is manufactured by a process that comprises applying pressure to the composition to form the insert.

Abstract: A method for depositing a coating of a first metal on a second metal component includes applying a first laser beam to a surface of the second metal to remove a portion of an oxide layer from the surface, and applying a second laser beam to deposit a coating of a first metal on the surface immediately following the first laser beam and a component made by the method.

Abstract: An aluminum-based diesel engine piston and a method of making the piston. The method involves casting the piston with complex geometries, including undercut or reentrant features. The casting uses an aggregate disposable mold that can be removed from the as-cast part. In one form, the complex geometry includes an undercut combustion bowl formed in the piston dome, while in another, it may include an internal cooling passage. The undercut bowl and internal passages may be produced using the aggregate disposable mold.

Abstract: A diesel engine piston and a method of making the piston. The method involves casting the piston with complex geometries, including undercut features. The casting uses an aggregate disposable mold that can be removed from the as-cast part. In one form, the complex geometry includes an undercut combustion bowl formed in the piston dome, while in another, it may include an internal cooling passage. The undercut bowl and internal passages may be produced using the aggregate disposable mold.