Selection Of Material for CONNECTING ROD

The connecting rod does this important task of converting reciprocating motion of the piston into rotary motion of the crankshaft. It consists of an upper section which is joined to the piston with the help of a gudgeon pin and a lower section which gets attached to the crank shaft with bolts.

An Example of a Connecting Rod

Stresses
Stresses are induced in a connecting rod due to the axial forces action on it. These forces arise from gas pressure and inertia of piston.

The maximum axial load is compressive (at TDC).

Bending stresses also occur after firing due to a certain angle of inclination of the rod.

After understanding the stresses developed in a connecting rod, we can enlist the following material requirements:1. High strength in both tension and compression.

After understanding the stresses developed in a connecting rod, we can enlist the following material requirements:1. High strength in both tension and compression. 2. High fatigue strength.

After understanding the stresses developed in a connecting rod, we can enlist the following material requirements:1. High strength in both tension and compression. 2. High fatigue strength. 3. It must retain its its properties at higher temperatures which can be developed during engine operation.

After understanding the stresses developed in a connecting rod, we can enlist the following material requirements:1. High strength in both tension and compression. 2. High fatigue strength. 3. It must retain its its properties at higher temperatures which can be developed during engine operation. 4. High impact strength.

Based on these requirements, the following materials can be selected: Cast Iron Medium Carbon Steel ( 45 S 6 ) Aluminum Titanium

The following influencing factors have to be considered:1. Cost

The following influencing factors have to be considered:1. Cost

2. Durability

The following influencing factors have to be considered:1. Cost

2. Durability 3. Weight

The following influencing factors have to be considered:1. Cost

2. Durability 3. Weight 4. Ease of Manufacture / Machinability

The following influencing factors have to be considered:1. Cost

2. Durability 3. Weight 4. Ease of Manufacture / Machinability 5. Availability

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Cost

Cast Iron

Al.

M.C.S

Ti

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Durability

Cast Iron

Al.

M.C.S

Ti.

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Weight

Cast Iron

Al.

M.C.S

Ti.

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cast Iron Al. M.C.S Ti. Availability

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cast iron Al. M.C.S Ti. E.O.M

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 C.I Al. M.C.S Ti. Cost Dbt. Weight Avail. Mach.

Result:In accordance with these design steps, Medium Carbon Steel is preferred as a material for connecting rod. A commonly used form of MCS is 45 S 6.
Aluminum and titanium can be used for high performance engines like F1 cars where strength and light-weight dominate over the cost factor.