Crankshaft and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

Provided is a crankshaft which has excellent fatigue strength and in which the formation of quenching cracks is suppressed. A crankshaft (10) comprising a pin portion (12) and a pin top portion (15), wherein: the pin portion (12) has a sliding portion (121) having a constant outer diameter and fillet portions (122) formed contiguously with the sliding portion (121); each fillet portion (122) has a hardened region (122a), which is a region where the hardness is higher than the hardness of the core portion of the sliding portion 121 by 100 HV or more, on the surface thereof; the thickness (d1) of the hardened region (122a) of a fillet portion (122) is at least 12.0% of the radius (R) of the sliding portion (121); and the prior-austenite grain size of the pin top portion (15) is 60 μm or less.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crankshaft and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In some cases, the crankshaft is subjected to induction hardening to improve its fatigue strength.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-100861 discloses an automotive mechanical part that, after induction hardening and tempering, has a surface hardness of 600 Hv or more, a core hardness of 350 Hv or more, a (hardening depth / part radius) ratio of 0.5 to 1.0, an average cross-sectional hardness of 550 Hv or more, and a grain size number of 7.0 or more on the outermost surface.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 6693206 discloses a method for manufacturing crankshafts in which the pin and journal portions of a forged part having a predetermined chemical composition are subjected to induction hardening at a heating temperature of the austenitizing temperature or higher and 1050°C or lower, thereby forming a hardened layer with a grain size of 7 or larger on the outer circumferential surfaces of the pin and journal portions.

[0005] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-60723 discloses a crankshaft having a quench-hardened layer on the surface of the crankpin portion and journal portion, in which the prior austenite grain size of the surface-hardened layer after induction hardening is 12 μm or less throughout the hardened layer. The publication also discloses that the surface-hardened layer is formed by induction hardening under conditions of a heating temperature of 800 to 1000°C, and that induction hardening is performed multiple times.

[0006] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 5-222459 discloses an induction hardening method including a heating step in which a camshaft made of cast iron alloy with 18 to 25% carbides distributed in terms of area ratio in the material matrix is ​​set in a fixing jig, and the workpiece is heated in two stages, preheating and main heating, using high frequency waves of 20 kHz, and a cooling step in which the heated workpiece is cooled in two stages, air cooling and water cooling.

[0007] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 9-79339 discloses a rolling element for a toroidal continuously variable transmission with excellent fatigue life. The publication states that in the first stage, the inner diameter surface and bottom surface are heated at an output of 80 kW and a frequency of 30 kHz for 7 seconds and then water-cooled for quenching, and then in the second stage, the rolling surface is heated at an output of 30 kW and a frequency of 100 kHz for 20 seconds and then water-cooled for quenching. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-100861 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6693206 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-60723 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-222459 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-79339 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] One way to improve fatigue strength is to extend the induction hardening heating time and form a quench-hardened layer in a deeper area. However, in parts with complex shapes such as crankshafts, extending the induction hardening heating time can cause quench cracks.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a crankshaft that has excellent fatigue strength and is suppressed from generating quench cracks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A crankshaft according to one embodiment of the present invention is a crankshaft comprising a pin portion and a pin top portion, wherein the pin portion has a sliding portion having a constant outer diameter and a fillet portion formed continuously with the sliding portion, the fillet portion having a hardened region on its surface that has a hardness that is 100 HV or more higher than the hardness of a core portion of the sliding portion, the thickness of the hardened region in the fillet portion being 12.0% or more of the radius of the sliding portion, and the prior austenite grain size in the pin top portion being 60 μm or less.

[0012] A manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned crankshaft, and includes a preheating step of heating an intermediate crankshaft to a preheating temperature by high-frequency induction heating, and a main heating step of heating the preheated intermediate crankshaft to a main heating temperature that is higher than 1000°C by increasing the output of the high-frequency induction heating, wherein the preheating temperature is at least 80% of the main heating temperature but lower than the main heating temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a crankshaft having excellent fatigue strength and suppressing the occurrence of quench cracks can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a crankshaft according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the pin portion of the crankshaft in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a method for manufacturing a crankshaft according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a heat pattern in the induction hardening process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The inventors investigated the causes of quench cracks in induction-hardened crankshafts. As a result, they found that in crankshafts with quench cracks, the crystal grains in the pin-top area were coarsened. More specifically, they found that when the prior austenite grain size in the pin-top area is larger than 60 μm, quench cracks tend to occur from the pin-top area to the thrust wall.

[0016] The present inventors have further found that by dividing the heating for induction hardening into preheating and main heating, it is possible to suppress the coarsening of crystal grains in the pin top portion.

[0017] The present invention has been completed based on the above findings. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. The dimensional ratios between the components shown in each drawing do not necessarily represent the actual dimensional ratios.

[0018] [Crankshaft] 1 is a schematic diagram of a crankshaft 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The crankshaft 10 includes a journal portion 11, a pin portion 12, and an arm portion 13.

[0019] The crankshaft 10 may be made of, for example, a steel material for machine structures. The crankshaft 10 may be made of, for example, a carbon steel material for machine structures specified in JIS G 4051:2016, an alloy steel material for machine structures specified in JIS G 4053:2016, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Among these steel materials, S40C, S45C, S50C, and S53C specified in JIS G 4051:2016, and SMn438 specified in JIS G 4053:2016, as well as steel materials to which 0.20% by mass or less of S has been added to improve machinability, are preferred.

[0020] The chemical composition of the crankshaft 10 may be, for example, in mass %, C: 0.30 to 0.60%, Si: 0.01 to 2.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, Cr: 0.01 to 0.50%, Al: 0.001 to 0.06%, N: 0.001 to 0.02%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.20% or less, and the balance: Fe and impurities.

[0021] The chemical composition of the crankshaft 10 may be, for example, in mass %, C: 0.30-0.60%, Si: 0.01-2.0%, Mn: 0.1-2.0%, Cr: 0.01-0.50%, Al: 0.001-0.06%, N: 0.001-0.02%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.20% or less, Mo: 0-0.50%, Cu: 0-0.50%, Ni: 0-0.50%, Ti: 0-0.050%, Nb: 0-0.050%, Ca: 0-0.005%, Bi: 0-0.30%, V: 0-0.20%, and the balance: Fe and impurities, where Mo, Cu, Ni, Ti, Nb, Ca, Bi, and V are optional elements. That is, the above chemical composition does not necessarily contain Mo, Cu, Ni, Ti, Nb, Ca, Bi, and V.

[0022] The chemical composition of the crankshaft 10 may be, for example, in mass %, C: 0.30-0.60%, Si: 0.01-2.0%, Mn: 0.1-2.0%, Cr: 0.01-0.50%, Al: 0.001-0.06%, N: 0.001-0.02%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.20% or less, Cu: 0-0.50%, Ni: 0-0.50%, Ti: 0-0.050%, Nb: 0-0.050%, Ca: 0-0.005%, Bi: 0-0.30%, V: 0-0.20%, and the balance: Fe and impurities, where Cu, Ni, Ti, Nb, Ca, Bi, and V are optional elements. That is, the above chemical composition does not necessarily contain Cu, Ni, Ti, Nb, Ca, Bi, and V.

[0023] The chemical composition of the crankshaft 10 more preferably has a C content of 0.33 to 0.55 mass%. If the C content is too low, it may be difficult to make the quench-hardened layer sufficiently thick. On the other hand, if the C content is too high, quench cracking is more likely to occur. The lower limit of the C content is more preferably 0.35 mass%, more preferably 0.38 mass%, even more preferably 0.40 mass%, and even more preferably 0.41 mass%. The upper limit of the C content is more preferably 0.50 mass%, even more preferably 0.45 mass%, and even more preferably 0.43 mass%.

[0024] The chemical composition of the crankshaft 10 more preferably has a Si content of 0.01 to 1.0 mass%, and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.7 mass%, and the chemical composition of the crankshaft 10 more preferably has a S content of 0.10% or less, and even more preferably 0.07% or less.

[0025] The journal portion 11 is connected to a bearing of a cylinder block (not shown). The pin portion 12 is connected to a bearing of a connecting rod (not shown). The arm portion 13 connects the journal portion 11 and the pin portion 12.

[0026] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the pin portion 12 of the crankshaft 10. The pin portion 12 has a sliding portion 121 having a constant outer diameter and a fillet portion 122 formed continuously with the sliding portion 121. A thrust wall 14 and a pin top portion 15 are formed on the outside of the fillet portion 122.

[0027] The sliding portion 121 is a portion that slides against the bearing of the connecting rod. The fillet portion 122 is a portion that connects the sliding portion 121 and the thrust wall 14, and is formed in a smooth shape to alleviate stress concentration.

[0028] The pin top portion 15 is located axially outward of the sliding portion 121 and the fillet portion 122, and is the portion that protrudes most radially outward.

[0029] Fillet portion 122 has a hardened region 122a on its surface, which is a region whose hardness is 100 HV or more higher than the hardness of the core portion of sliding portion 121. Hardened region 122a of fillet portion 122 has a thickness d1 that is 12.0% or more of radius R of sliding portion 121.

[0030] In this embodiment, the "hardened region" is defined as a region having a hardness 100 HV or more higher than the hardness of the core (radial center portion) of the sliding portion 121. In the fillet portion 122 of the crankshaft 10 according to this embodiment, the thickness d1 of the hardened region 122a is 12.0% or more of the radius R of the sliding portion 121. Note that this "thickness of the hardened region" is different from the "effective case depth" and "total case depth" of JIS G0559.

[0031] The fillet portion 122 is the portion of the pin portion 12 to which the strongest stress is applied. By making the thickness d1 of the hardened region 122a of the fillet portion 122 equal to or greater than 12.0% of the radius R, excellent fatigue strength can be obtained. The lower limit of the thickness d1 is preferably 14.0% of the radius R, more preferably 15.0%, even more preferably 16.0%, and even more preferably 18.0%.

[0032] If the hardened region 122a is too thick, it may not be possible to prevent coarsening of crystal grains in the pin top portion 15. The upper limit of the thickness d1 is preferably 25.0% of the radius R, more preferably 22.0%, and still more preferably 20.0%.

[0033] It is preferable that a hardened region of a predetermined thickness is also formed on the surface of the sliding portion 121. More specifically, the sliding portion 121 has a hardened region 121a on its surface, which is a region whose hardness is 100 HV or more higher than the hardness of the core of the sliding portion 121, and it is preferable that the thickness d2 of the hardened region 121a at the axial center is 14.0% or more of the radius R of the sliding portion 121.

[0034] Excellent fatigue strength can be more stably obtained by setting the thickness d1 of the hardened region 122a of the fillet portion 122 to 12.0% or more of the radius R, and by setting the thickness d2 of the hardened region 121a of the sliding portion 121 at the axial center to 14.0% or more of the radius R. The lower limit of the thickness d2 is preferably 16.0% of the radius R, more preferably 18.0%, even more preferably 20.0%, and still more preferably 22.0%.

[0035] As in the case of the hardened region 122a, if the hardened region 121a is too thick, it may not be possible to suppress coarsening of the crystal grains in the pin-top portion 15. The upper limit of the thickness d2 is preferably 30.0% of the radius R, more preferably 28.0%, and even more preferably 26.0%.

[0036] The hardness of the core of the pin portion 12 is preferably 300 HV or less. If the hardness of the core of the pin portion 12 is too high, processability may decrease. The hardness of the core of the pin portion 12 is more preferably 290 HV or less, and even more preferably 280 HV or less. The lower limit of the hardness of the core of the pin portion 12 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 230 HV.

[0037] The radius of the sliding portion 121 of the pin portion 12 is preferably 15 mm or more. The radius of the sliding portion 121 of the pin portion 12 is more preferably 20 mm or more, even more preferably 25 mm or more, even more preferably 30 mm or more, even more preferably 35 mm or more, and even more preferably 40 mm or more. The upper limit of the radius of the sliding portion 121 of the pin portion 12 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 60 mm.

[0038] In the crankshaft 10 according to this embodiment, the prior austenite grain size in the pin top portion 15 is 60 μm or less.

[0039] If the structure of the pin top portion 15 becomes coarse-grained, quench cracking becomes more likely to occur. By setting the prior austenite grain size of the pin top portion 15 to 60 μm or less, quench cracking can be stably suppressed. The upper limit of the prior austenite grain size of the pin top portion 15 is preferably 55 μm, more preferably 52 μm, and even more preferably 48 μm. The lower limit of the prior austenite grain size of the pin top portion 15 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 15 μm.

[0040] [Crankshaft manufacturing method] Next, a description will be given of an example of a method for manufacturing the crankshaft 10. The manufacturing method described below is merely an example and does not limit the method for manufacturing the crankshaft 10.

[0041] 3 is a flow diagram showing a method for manufacturing a crankshaft according to one embodiment of the present invention. This manufacturing method includes a step of preparing an intermediate crankshaft (step S1) and a step of induction hardening the intermediate crankshaft (step S2).

[0042] An intermediate crankshaft is prepared (Step S1). The intermediate crankshaft can be manufactured, for example, by hot forging a material having a predetermined chemical composition to form a rough crankshaft shape, subjecting the material to heat treatment such as normalizing as necessary, and then machining as necessary.

[0043] The crankshaft intermediate product is subjected to induction hardening (step S2). Specifically, the crankshaft intermediate product is heated to a predetermined temperature by high-frequency induction heating and then rapidly cooled. Induction hardening of the crankshaft is usually performed on the journal portion 11 and the pin portion 12.

[0044] 4 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a heat pattern of the induction hardening step (step S2). The induction hardening step (step S2) includes a preheating step (step S2-1), a main heating step (step S2-2), and a cooling step (step S2-3).

[0045] In the crankshaft manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the induction hardening heating is performed in two steps: a preheating step (step S2-1) and a main heating step (step S2-2). More specifically, the intermediate crankshaft is heated to a predetermined preheating temperature T1 by high-frequency induction heating, and then the output of the high-frequency induction heating is increased to heat the intermediate crankshaft to a main heating temperature T2, which is higher than 1000°C. The preheating temperature T1 is at least 80% of the main heating temperature T2, but is lower than the main heating temperature T2.

[0046] The reason why quench cracks occur when the heating time for induction hardening is extended is thought to be that the pin top portion 15, which has a small heat capacity, becomes overheated (for example, to 1100°C or higher) when the heating time is extended, causing coarsening of the crystal grains in the pin top portion 15. By dividing the heating for induction hardening into a preheating step (step S2-1) and a main heating step (step S2-2), it is possible to prevent the pin top portion 15 from becoming overheated even if the heating temperature (main heating temperature T2) is increased.

[0047] First, the intermediate crankshaft is preheated by high-frequency induction heating (step S2-1).

[0048] The preheating temperature T1 is at least 80% of the main heating temperature T2, but is lower than the main heating temperature T2. The preheating temperature T1 is the surface temperature at the axial center of the sliding portion 121 of the pin portion 12 immediately after the preheating step (step S2-1). If the preheating temperature T1 is too low, the thickness d1 of the hardened region 122a cannot be made sufficiently thick, and the target fatigue strength cannot be obtained. Furthermore, in the main heating step (step S2-2), the heating time must be extended to raise the temperature to the main heating temperature T2, making it difficult to suppress coarsening of the crystal grains in the pin-top portion 15. On the other hand, if the preheating temperature is too high, the pin-top portion 15 will be overheated in the preheating step (step S2-1), making it difficult to suppress coarsening of the crystal grains in the pin-top portion 15.

[0049] The lower limit of the preheating temperature T1 is preferably 84% of the main heating temperature T2, more preferably 86%, even more preferably 88%, and even more preferably 90%. The preheating temperature T1 is preferably equal to or higher than the Ac3 point of the steel material constituting the crankshaft. The lower limit of the preheating temperature T1 is more preferably 900°C, even more preferably 920°C, and even more preferably 940°C. The upper limit of the preheating temperature T1 is preferably 95% of the main heating temperature T2, and even more preferably 92%.

[0050] The heating time (hereinafter referred to as "preheating time t1") in the preheating step (step S2-1) is preferably 10 seconds or longer. If the preheating time t1 is too short, the heating rate must be increased to raise the temperature to the preheating temperature T1, making temperature control difficult. The lower limit of the preheating time t1 is preferably 15 seconds, more preferably 20 seconds, and even more preferably 22 seconds. The upper limit of the preheating time t1 is preferably 40 seconds, and even more preferably 35 seconds.

[0051] The preheated crankshaft intermediate product is then subjected to main heating by increasing the output of the high-frequency induction heating (step S2-2). The main heating step (step S2-2) is preferably performed immediately after the preheating step (step S2-1). More specifically, it is preferably performed within 10 seconds, more preferably within 5 seconds, and even more preferably within 1 second after the end of the preheating step (step S2-1). Furthermore, it is preferably performed before the surface temperature of the axial center of the sliding portion 121 of the pin portion 12 drops by 100°C from the preheating temperature T1, more preferably before it drops by 50°C, and most preferably before the temperature drops.

[0052] The main heating temperature T2 is a temperature higher than 1000°C. The main heating temperature T2 is the surface temperature at the axial center of the sliding portion 121 of the pin portion 12 immediately after the main heating step (step S2-2). If the main heating temperature T2 is 1000°C or lower, the thickness d1 of the hardened region 122a cannot be made sufficiently thick, and the target fatigue strength cannot be obtained. The lower limit of the main heating temperature T2 is preferably 1020°C, more preferably 1030°C, and even more preferably 1040°C. On the other hand, if the main heating temperature T2 is too high, it becomes difficult to suppress coarsening of the crystal grains in the pin top portion 15. The upper limit of the main heating temperature T2 is preferably 1090°C, more preferably 1080°C, and even more preferably 1060°C.

[0053] The heating time (hereinafter referred to as "main heating time t2") in the main heating step (step S2-2) is preferably 15 seconds or less. If the main heating time t2 is too long, it becomes difficult to suppress coarsening of the crystal grains in the pin-top portion 15. The upper limit of the main heating time t2 is preferably 12 seconds. The lower limit of the main heating time t2 is preferably 2 seconds, more preferably 5 seconds, and even more preferably 8 seconds.

[0054] The intermediate crankshaft heated to the main heating temperature T2 is then rapidly cooled (step S2-3). Rapid cooling is preferably performed by water cooling. The cooling step (step S2-3) is preferably performed immediately after the main heating step (step S2-2). More specifically, the cooling step is preferably performed within 10 seconds, more preferably within 5 seconds, and even more preferably within 1 second after the end of the main heating step (step S2-2).

[0055] The cooled crankshaft may be tempered as required.

[0056] The induction-hardened (or induction-hardened and tempered) intermediate crankshaft may be subjected to finishing processing as necessary. For example, the journal portion 11 and the pin portion 12 may be ground or lapped to adjust the surface shape. In this manner, the crankshaft is manufactured.

[0057] The crankshaft and the manufacturing method thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention have been described above. According to this embodiment, a crankshaft having excellent fatigue strength and suppressing the occurrence of quench cracks can be obtained. [Example]

[0058] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0059] An intermediate crankshaft made of steel having the chemical composition shown in Table 1 was induction hardened under the conditions shown in Table 2. After induction hardening, the pin and journal were ground to produce the crankshaft. The radius of the sliding part of the pin was set to 43 mm.

[0060] [Table 1]

[0061] [Table 2]

[0062] In Table 2, "t1" is the heating time of the preheating process, "T1" is the surface temperature of the axial center of the sliding part immediately after the preheating process, "t2" is the heating time of the main heating process, and "T2" is the surface temperature of the axial center of the sliding part immediately after the main heating process. In the induction hardening of crankshafts No. 0 and Nos. 10 to 13, a preheating process was not performed.

[0063] Test pieces for hardness measurement were taken from each crankshaft, and the ratio of the thickness of the hardened region of the fillet to the radius of the sliding portion (d1 / R) and the ratio of the thickness of the hardened region of the sliding portion at the axial center to the radius of the sliding portion (d2 / R) were measured. The thickness of the hardened region of the fillet was measured in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the bottom of the fillet (the portion where the tangent to the axial direction forms a 45° angle).

[0064] Furthermore, at the axial center of the sliding portion, positions 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1.0 mm from the surface were pressed down with a micro Vickers tester at a load of 300 gf, and the average of the obtained Vickers hardness values ​​was defined as the "hardness of the hardened layer." The hardness of the core of the sliding portion was defined as the "hardness of the base material."

[0065] The prior austenite grain size (prior γ grain size) of the pin-top area was measured. Specifically, a specimen was cut from the pin-top area so that the same cross section (parallel to the axial direction of the sliding portion 121) as shown in Figure 2 was the observation surface, polished, and immersed in a 50°C bath filled with an etching solution based on a saturated aqueous solution of picric acid for approximately 10 minutes. The specimen was then neutralized with a 1% NaOH solution, washed with water, and dried to visualize the prior γ grains. Optical microscope images were taken of the specimen, and the number of prior γ grains within a 250 μm × 250 μm field of view, centered at a depth of 5 mm from the surface of the pin-top area, was counted. Finally, the area of ​​the field of view was divided by the number of grains to determine the area per grain, and the diameter, assuming the grains were perfectly round, was calculated.

[0066] For crankshafts with a prior austenite grain size of 60 μm or less at the pin top, one throw was cut from each crankshaft and subjected to torsional fatigue testing. Specifically, the journals at both ends of one throw were fixed to a testing machine, and a predetermined torque was repeatedly applied to the journals, applying repeated shear force to the pin. Tests were conducted until fatigue failure was observed or the number of repetitions reached 1.0 × 10 7 The test was continued until

[0067] The results are shown in Table 3. The torsional fatigue strength (fatigue limit) is a relative value with No. 0 as the reference.

[0068] [Table 3]

[0069] As shown in Table 3, the torsional fatigue strength of crankshafts No. 1 to No. 5 was significantly improved compared to crankshaft No. 0. In particular, the torsional fatigue strength of crankshafts No. 1 to No. 4, which had d1 / R of 15.0% or more, was improved by 10% or more compared to crankshaft No. 0.

[0070] The No. 6 to No. 9 crankshafts either had no significant difference in fatigue strength compared to the No. 0 crankshaft, or had inferior torsional fatigue strength. This is thought to be because the thickness of the hardened region in the fillet was equal to or thinner than that of the No. 0 crankshaft. The insufficient thickness of the hardened region in the fillet is thought to be due to the main heating temperature being 1000°C or lower.

[0071] In crankshafts No. 10 to No. 13, the prior austenite grain size in the pin top portion was larger than 60 μm. This is thought to be because the preheating process was not performed.

[0072] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is possible to carry out appropriate modifications of the above-described embodiment within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 crankshaft 11 Journal Department 12-pin section 121 Sliding part 121a Hardened area 122 Fillet 122a hardening area 13 Arm section 14 Thrust Wall 15 pin top part

Claims

1. A crankshaft having a pin portion and a pin top portion, the pin portion has a sliding portion having a constant outer diameter and a fillet portion formed continuously with the sliding portion, the fillet portion has a hardened region on its surface, the hardness of which is 100 HV or more higher than the hardness of the core portion of the sliding portion; the thickness of the hardened region of the fillet portion is 15.0% or more of the radius of the sliding portion, The prior austenite grain size in the pin top portion is 60 μm or less.

2. 2. The crankshaft of claim 1, The chemical composition, in mass%, is C: 0.30-0.60%, Si: 0.01-2.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, Cr: 0.01-0.50%, Al: 0.001-0.06%, N: 0.001-0.02%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.20% or less, The balance is Fe and impurities. That is, the crankshaft.

3. 2. The crankshaft of claim 1, The chemical composition, in mass%, is C: 0.30-0.60%, Si: 0.01-2.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, Cr: 0.01-0.50%, Al: 0.001-0.06%, N: 0.001-0.02%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.20% or less, Mo: 0 to 0.50%, Cu: 0 to 0.50%, Ni: 0 to 0.50%, Ti: 0 to 0.050%, Nb: 0 to 0.050%, Ca: 0-0.005%, Bi: 0-0.30%, V: 0 to 0.20%, The balance is Fe and impurities. That is, the crankshaft.

4. 2. The crankshaft of claim 1, The chemical composition, in mass%, is C: 0.30-0.60%, Si: 0.01-2.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, Cr: 0.01-0.50%, Al: 0.001-0.06%, N: 0.001-0.02%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.20% or less, Cu: 0 to 0.50%, Ni: 0 to 0.50%, Ti: 0 to 0.050%, Nb: 0 to 0.050%, Ca: 0-0.005%, Bi: 0-0.30%, V: 0-0.20%, The balance is Fe and impurities. That is, the crankshaft.

5. A crankshaft according to any one of claims 2 to 4, A crankshaft having a C content of 0.40 to 0.50 mass%.

6. A crankshaft according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the sliding portion has a hardened region on its surface, the hardness of which is 100 HV or more higher than the hardness of a core portion of the sliding portion; A crankshaft, wherein the thickness of the hardened region of the sliding portion at the axial center is 14.0% or more of the radius of the sliding portion.

7. A crankshaft according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The hardness of the core of the sliding part is 300 HV or less.

8. A crankshaft according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The radius of the pin portion is 15 mm or more.

9. A method for manufacturing a crankshaft according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the steps of: a preheating step of heating the intermediate crankshaft to a preheating temperature by high-frequency induction heating; a main heating step of increasing the output of the high-frequency induction heating to heat the preheated intermediate crankshaft to a main heating temperature higher than 1000°C, The manufacturing method, wherein the preheating temperature is 80% or more of the main heating temperature and is lower than the main heating temperature.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 9, The manufacturing method, wherein the heating time in the preheating step is 10 seconds or more.

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 9, The manufacturing method, wherein the heating time in the main heating step is 15 seconds or less.

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