In a previous article on the subject of surface treatments, RET Monitor contributor Tom Sharp discussed various surface hardening methods for crankshafts, and the method of nitriding was expanded upon in a subsequent article on the subject of nitride hardening. Not only does nitriding of steels offer a more wear-resistant surface, but there are substantial benefits from the introduction of compressive residual stresses with regard to fatigue behaviour.
Literature is littered with accounts of similar benefits Read more…
The use of amplified light has a great many applications in industry and beyond. Many of us reading this will do so having had our sight improved by laser eye treatment. In terms of the use of lasers in engineering, perhaps the most widespread application is laser-cutting, allowing sheet metal to be cut into any shape from a simple dxf drawing file. Many engineering works specialising in sheet metal will offer laser cutting nowadays. In a similar way, lasers are often used for part-marking purposes, from part and serial numbers to barcodes etc. 
Last month we looked into induction hardening of crankshafts and the inherent differences between that process and nitriding.
Race engine crankshafts are typically produced from steel billets and are gas nitrided to improve fatigue life and reduce wear.
Leading crankshaft manufacturer, Arrow Precision Ltd, of Hinckley, Leicestershire, have recently expanded their capabilities by installing a rigid polishing machine for use on main and crankpin journals.
Most people in the high performance world recoil when they hear a reference to cavitation. Cavitation, the formation of vapour bubbles in a flowing liquid, is usually the prelude to component failure, particularly
For years now, race component manufacturers have closely guarded their proprietary metal super finishing processes. Using increasingly finer grinding mediums to produce the desired surface finish whilst still complying with the precise geometric requirements of the component.
Non-electrolytic passivation (often referred to as conversion coating) is one of the most common treatments for aluminum surfaces that need to be made corrosion resistant, while still remaining conductive electrically. Because of its ease of processing, it is one of the lowest cost anticorrosion preparations available.Chromate conversions (‘Iridite’ and ‘Alodine’) have been the traditional passivation application for aluminum alloys, both wrought and cast. 
