Hardening Characteristics of 16MnCr5 Metals for Engine Block

Crankpin is a mechanical part which links the crankshaft to the connecting rod to each cylinder. Normally, crankpins are made up of low carbon material which results in unexpected fracture on the crankpin material due its chemical composition, high engine temperature, high operating oil temperature, improper lubrication and lower hardness. Recently, researchers are developing crankpins with different materials for the better performance such as alloy steel and the mild steel materials which have similar chemical compositions of low carbon material. The primary object of this study is to develop an improved crankpin which will alleviate the current crankpin used in the connecting rod. In this work we have selected 16MnCr5 as a replacement of the presently used crankpin in the connecting rod. 16MnCr5 is a low carbon steel widely used for several applications in many of the automobile industries. 16MnCr5 is hardened by a case hardening process which is carried out through the sealed quench furnace for the set of process parameters. The results of the prepared material were analyzed using hardness, microstructure examination and the economic conditions of the materials. In future, another set of two materials such as SCM420H and EN1A will be used for alternating material for crankpin which are processed with the same set of parameters and compared with the 16MnCr5 material to check the suitable crank pin material to avoid unexpected damage.