Production and service properties of micro-alloyed steel components for the motor industry

In the mechanical engineering sector, there is now a marked trend towards the use of micro-alloyed steels in the form of long products as cost-effective substitutes for hardened and tempered steels. In addition to laboratory tests on the initial steels to check verifiable properties which can provide a first-step indication of properties in use, it is also important to ascertain the suitability of steels for various end applications by direct tests on components in actual service. The case of crankshafts considered in this paper represents the start of a comprehensive programme of tests on components initiated by Fiat Auto and can be regarded as one example of an approach to the problems of using micro-alloyed steels which was brought to a successful conclusion.