Composite
metal flex plate, comprising: an aluminum center plate (12, 112, 212) having a circular body (18, 118, 218) defining a central opening about an axis of rotation of the composite
metal flex plate, the circular body (18, 118, 218) having a perimeter (24, 124, 224, 324, 424); and a steel ring gear (14, 114, 214) including an annular body (36, 136, 236, 336, 436) and external teeth formed integrally with and disposed around the annular body (36, 136, 236, 336, 436), wherein the annular body (36, 136, 236, 336, 436) of the steel ring gear (14, 114, 214) is secured to the periphery (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of the circular body (18, 118, 218) of the aluminum center plate (12, 112, 212) by a
solid-state connection (16, 116, 216), wherein the periphery (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of the circular body (18, 118, 218) of the aluminum center plate (12, 112, 212) comprises an axial edge (26, 126, 226) extending axially from a distal end of the circular body (18, 118, 218), the axial edge (26, 126, 226) being inclined by an angle (β) of 10° to 80° to the axis of rotation, and wherein the
solid-state connection (16, 116, 216) is formed between the axial edge (26, 126, 226) of the circular body (18, 118, 218) and a surface inclined by an angle (α) of between 10° to 80° to the axis of rotation (335) of the annular body (36, 136, 236, 336, 436) of the steel ring gear (14, 114, 214).