EuroWire January 2019

Technology News

▲ ▲ Connecting rods made from Splitasco HC

New variant of Splitasco steel grade

composition of XS, a totally bainitic microstructure is achieved with high cooling rates. This makes it possible to produce conrods weighing several kilograms with the same UTS and YS mechanical properties as connecting rods weighing just 500 grams. As a consequence Splitasco XS is a reliable steel grade solution whatever the cooling rate after forging. Advantages of Splitasco XS include: • Suitable for all conrod sizes • Good machinability • No additional quenching necessary • More than 60 per cent improvement in fatigue strength compared to standard C70 connecting rods Ascometal SA – France Website : www.ascometal.com • No risk of deformation

rotation Since connecting rods are subjected to extreme loads, fatigue strength is crucial. The new Splitasco XS (eXtra Strong) grade of steel meets two major customer requirements: maximum pressure load without plastic deformation and high fatigue strength. Compared to standard materials like C70 used for conrods, Splitasco XS improves compressive yield strength by 110 per cent and fatigue strength by more than 60 per cent. These application properties would permit a reduction in weight by redesigning the components. Splitasco XS is a bainitic steel grade, meaning that the mechanical properties of manufactured components are produced without quenching, thereby preventing deformation. Since Ascometal has also optimised the chemical of the crankshaft.

ASCOMETAL has developed a new variant of its steel grade Splitasco HC. Now a part of the Schmolz + Bickenbach Group, Ascometal has marketed the product for many years as an efficient way of optimising standard C70 connecting rods. In cooperation with an industry specialist for conrod manufacturing, Ascometal has now developed Splitasco XS. The new steel grade improves mechanical properties such as UTS, and compressive YS, and will allow redesign of connecting rod components in order to make them lighter and to reduce CO 2 emission. Connecting rods are generally used in combustion engines and make it possible to transform the reciprocating movement of the piston (translation) into continuous

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January 2019

EuroWire – January 2012