Machinability of high-strength low-alloy steel D38MSV5S forged crankshafts

The high strength low steel alloy (HSLA) denominated D38MSV5S, is a steel material widely used by forging companies, especially in the automotive industry, as crankshaft material due to its high fatigue resistance when is subjected to torsion. The aim of the following work verifies the machining conditions with two different cutting inserts. Moreover, it must be an initial step for comparison of the machinability of current crankshafts’ steel to new micro-alloyed steel used in forging in the purpose of future study. To verify the cutting conditions and tools’ behaviors, it was necessary to take into consideration the roughness measurements at different stages of machining operations. Also, surface wear measurements for tools and specimens were included. The next three different machining operations: facing, turning and drilling in lathe were studied both for roughing and finishing. And finally, determining the way to optimize the machine’s electric consumption, the surface’s characterization, the insert’s wear and the process time were included in the study.