International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, cilt.16, sa.4, ss.403-411, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
This paper presents the failure analysis of a diesel engine crankshaft used in a truck. An evaluation of the failed crankshaft was undertaken to assess its integrity. This included a visual examination, photo documentation, chemical analysis, micro-hardness measurement, tensile testing, and metallographic examination. The failure zones were examined with the help of a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis facility. Results indicate that fatigue was the dominant mechanism of failure of the crankshaft. Fatigue cracks were initiated at the highly stressed surface of the crankpin-web fillet region and propagated across the section as a result of cyclic loading. © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.