Trends in Manufacturing and Technological Development of Crankshaft Material

Abstract

Semi-built-up and solid crankshafts, as a main part of diesel engines, have been subjected to increasingly severe service conditions to meet such engine requirements as higher output and more compact size. This has driven crankshaft manufacturers to improve the fatigue strength, quality, and reliability of crankshafts. This paper describes technical developments and recent trends, such as improved steel-making processes, new materials with higher strength, and new fillet hardening processes.