Current challenges in material choice for high-performance engine crankshaft

The segment of high-performance cars will progressively deal with the trade-off among cost saving, high performances and quality due to customers' higher expectations and the regulations requests for higher-power, safer, more intelligent and environmentally-friend cars. Dealing with these complicated systems requires additional designing phases and optimization of all components in terms of performances, reliability and costs. Among such mechanical parts assembled in an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), the crankshaft is one that still requires extra attention regarding materials choice, thermal treatments, producing processes and costs. The aim of this work is to analyze the actual and future scenarios about the material choice for the crankshaft of high-performance engines. In particular, what is considered here is the actual development and improved quality reached by base materials and manufacturing technologies for this critical component of the engine. In this context, different materials are analyzed, together with surface hardening techniques, thermal treatments and their technical and cost saving potentials.