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Designation: A 983/A 983M – 01

Standard Specification for

Continuous Grain Flow Forged Carbon and Alloy Steel
Crankshafts for Medium Speed Diesel Engines1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 983/A 983M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope A 986/A 986M Specification for Magnetic Particle Exami-

1.1 This specification covers continuous grain flow forged nation of Continuous Grain Flow Crankshaft Forgings3
carbon and alloy steel crankshafts for medium speed diesel and E 45 Practice for Determining the Inclusion Content of
natural gas engines. Steel4
1.2 The steel used in the manufacture of the forgings is E 112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size4
required to be vacuum degassed. E 340 Test Method for Macro Etching Metals and Alloys4
1.3 Provision is made for treatment of designated surfaces 2.2 Other Standards:
of the crankshaft to provide enhanced fatigue strength, or wear AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code5
resistance, or both. DIN 50 6026
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI JIS G 05557
(metric) units are to be regarded separately as standards. 3. Ordering Information
Within the text and tables the SI units are shown in brackets.
The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents, 3.1 In addition to the ordering requirements of Specification
therefore each system must be used independently of the other. A 788, the following items should be included:
Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon- 3.2 Whether surface hardening in designated areas is re-
formance with the specification. quired, referencing Supplementary Requirements S10, S11, or
1.5 Unless the order specifies the applicable “M” specifica- S12, and providing the necessary instructions.
tion designation, the material shall be furnished to the inch- 3.3 For crankshafts designed to include welded counter-
pound units. weights the purchaser may specify an alternate welding code to
1.6 Except as specifically required in this specification, all AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code.
provisions of Specification A 788 apply. 3.4 For alternate tensile and hardness test requirements
specify Supplementary Requirement S2.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Materials and Manufacture
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing 4.1 Melting Practice:
of Steel Products2 4.1.1 The steel making section of Specification A 788 shall
A 503 Specification for Ultrasonic Examination of Forged apply together with mandatory vacuum degassing.
Crankshafts3 4.1.2 Supplementary Requirement S1 may be used if non-
A 788 Specification for Steel Forgings, General Require- metallic inclusion rating of the steel is required.
ments3 4.2 Forging:
A 966/A 966M Test Method for Magnetic Particle Exami- 4.2.1 The use of bar from starting stock produced by slitting
nation of Steel Forgings Using Alternate Current3 a rectangular section is not permitted.

1 4
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
5
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Available from American Welding Society, 550 NW Le Jeune Rd., Miami, FL
A01.06 on Steel Forgings and Billets. 33126.
6
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2001. Published November 2001. Originally Available from Verlag Stahleisen mbh, Postfach 8229, D-4000 Dusseldorf,
published as A 983/A 983M–98. Last previous edition A 983/A 983M–98. Germany.
2 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03. Available from Japanese Standards Association, 1-24 Akasaka 4, Minato-Ku,
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. Tokyo 107, Japan.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 983/A 983M – 01
4.2.2 The procedure used in forging the crankshaft shall or another similar welding code acceptable to the purchaser.
ensure that the centerline of the starting forged or rolled bar This procedure shall contain instructions concerning repair of
will follow the centerline contour of the main bearings, webs, counterweight welds, including preheat and post weld heat
and crankpins of the crankshaft. treatment requirements.
4.2.3 The grain flow present between adjacent main bearing
journals, webs, and the intervening crankpin shall be demon- 5. Chemical Composition
strated for the first article testing of a new crankshaft design by 5.1 Heat Analysis— The heat analysis obtained after sam-
a given forging facility. This need not be repeated for other pling in accordance with Specification A 788 shall comply with
crankshafts of the same design that differ from the first article Table 1 for the chosen grade, and the requirements agreed upon
crankshaft by the number of crankpin throws or, by agreement by Supplementary Requirement S4 if this was selected.
with the purchaser, for V-Cylinder configurations of the same
engine. The axial grain flow shown after etching a centerline
6. Mechanical Requirements
longitudinal section of the main bearing-web-crankpin-web-
main bearing section shall be approved by the purchaser. 6.1 Tension Testing:
Etching shall be done in accordance with Test Method E 340. 6.1.1 The heat treated forging shall comply with the require-
Using Supplementary Requirement S2, additional grain flow ments of Table 2 for the selected grade when tested in
sections may be taken by agreement between the manufacturer accordance with this section. See also Test Methods and
and purchaser. Definitions A 370. It should be noted that when the SI system
4.3 Heat Treatment for Mechanical Properties: is specified the gage length for the tension test shall be
4.3.1 Heat treatment of crankshaft forgings may be done measured over a length of 5D.
either before or after rough machining, at the manufacturer’s 6.1.2 Test Material—An integral test prolongation equal in
option. By the use of Supplementary Requirement S3 the diameter to that of the starting bar diameter shall be provided
purchaser can specify that heat treatment be done after rough at one end of each crankshaft subject to mechanical testing.
machining. 6.1.3 Sampling—The longitudinal axis of the axially ori-
4.3.2 When counterweights are to be attached to the crank- ented tension test specimen shall be located at the mid-radius
shaft by welding (see 4.3.4), then the heat treatment for position in the integral crankshaft test prolongation. Supple-
mechanical properties shall follow after completion of the mentary Requirement S5 provides for a tension test prolonga-
welding. Intermediate post weld heat treatment may be applied tion to be provided at both ends of the heat treated crankshaft,
to the assembly at the manufacturer’s option. and Supplementary Requirement S6 provides for testing of
4.3.3 Heat treatment for mechanical properties shall consist each crankshaft in lieu of the test frequency specified in
of normalizing followed by tempering at a subcritical tempera- Supplementary Requirement S5.
ture, or austenitizing, liquid quenching and subcritical temper- 6.1.4 Orientation—Longitudinal tension test specimens
ing. A normalizing cycle may precede the austenitizing stage. shall be taken from the crankshaft prolongation.
4.3.4 If the crankshaft design includes attaching counter-
6.1.5 Number of Tests—Unless Supplementary Require-
weights to the webs by welding, then the manufacturer shall
ments S5 or S6, or both, are specified, one tension test
qualify the weld procedure and welders in accordance with a
specimen shall be tested to the requirements of Table 2, for the
written procedure acceptable to the purchaser. The procedure
selected grade, at a frequency of one test per heat treatment
shall incorporate AWS specifications.
load.
4.3.5 If forgings receive thermal stress relief after comple-
tion of heat treatment, then the stress relieving temperature 6.2 Impact Testing—If charpy impact testing of the crank-
shall not exceed a temperature of (T-50)°F, [(T-30)°C] where T shaft is required, Supplementary Requirement S7 shall be
is the tempering temperature. If this stress relieving tempera- specified.
ture is exceeded, then the mechanical testing required in
Section 6 shall be repeated. 7. Grain Size
4.3.6 If crankshaft counterweights are to welded to the 7.1 The grain size of the forging following heat treatment
webs, then the welding shall be done to a written, and qualified shall be ASTM 5 or finer when tested at the tension test
procedure conforming to AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code location(s) in accordance with Test Methods E 112.

TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements Composition %

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 7A Grade 8 Grade 8A
Carbon 0.43-0.53 0.43-0.52 0.28-0.33 0.38-0.48 0.30-0.48 0.35-0.45 0.28-0.35 0.38–0.48 0.30-0.35 0.38–0.48
Manganese 0.60-1.10 0.75-1.10 0.40-1.00 0.75-1.10 0.65-1.00 0.65-1.00 0.40-1.00 0.40–1.00 0.40-0.80 0.40–0.80
Phosphorous 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max
Sulfur 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max 0.025 max
Silicon 0.15-0.40 0.15-0.40 0.15-0.040 0.15-0.40 0.15-0.40 0.15-0.40 0.15-0.40 0.15–0.40 0.15-0.40 0.15–0.40
Nickel ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1.30-1.70 1.30–1.70
Chromium ... 0.20-0.35 0.80-1.20 0.80-1.20 0.80-1.20 0.80-1.20 2.8-3.3 2.8–3.3 1.00-1.40 1.00–1.40
Molybdenum ... 0.10 max 0.15-0.25 0.15-0.25 0.15-0.25 0.30-0.50 0.30-0.50 0.30–0.50 0.20-0.35 0.20–0.35
Vanadium 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.15 max 0.15 max

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 A 983/A 983M – 01
TABLE 2 Tensile and Hardness Requirements
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7
Tensile Strength, ksi [Mpa] min 80 [550] 100 [690] 110 [760] 120 [830] 130 [900] 140 [965] 150 [1035]
Yield Strength, (0.2% offset), ksi [Mpa] min. 45 [310] 70 [485] 80 [550] 90 [620] 100 [690] 110 [760] 120 [830]
Elongation, min % in 2 in. (4D) [% in 20 [18] 18 [16] 18 [16] 17 [15] 16 [14] 15 [13] 14 [12]
62.5mm] (5D)
Reduction of Area, % min 45 45 45 45 40 40 40
Brinell Hardness, min 163 207 229 248 262 285 302
Brinell Hardness, max 217 255 269 293 302 331 341

8. Surface Hardening 10. Workmanship

8.1 When required by the purchaser, and indicated in the 10.1 In addition to the specific order or drawing require-
crankshaft drawing, the crankshaft shall be surface hardened in ments for surface finish, the general appearance with respect to
designated areas for purposes of wear resistance, and when the soundness and finish shall be consistent with good crankshaft
bearing fillets are included, enhanced fatigue strength. practice, as determined by ordinary visual inspection.
8.2 The method and extent of the surface hardening shall be
11. Certification
specified by the purchaser by including reference to Supple-
mentary Requirements S9 (nitriding), S10 (induction harden- 11.1 When certification of a crankshaft includes inspection
ing of the bearing journals), or S11 (full induction hardening of by a classification agency, the manufacturer shall be notified of
bearing journals and fillets). this provision, so that arrangements can be made to allow for
witnessing of such manufacturing and testing operations as
9. Nondestructive Examination needed.
9.1 Because ac magnetizing equipment is required to be 12. Delivery
used, the magnetic particle examination of the crankshaft shall 12.1 In addition to the requirements of Specification A 788,
be done on completion of all machining operations. The the purchaser shall notify the producer on any special corrosion
examination shall be in accordance with Specification A 966/ protection and packing instructions. Supplementary Require-
A 966M. ment S12 may be used to call for specific packing instructions,
9.1.1 Acceptance criteria for the magnetic particle exami- otherwise the producer’s normal product protection practices
nation shall be in accordance with Specification A 986/A shall apply.
986M.
9.2 Supplementary Requirement S8 shall be specified if 13. Keywords
ultrasonic examination of the crankshaft bar, or the crankshaft 13.1 crankshafts, continuous grain flow; medium speed
forging is required. diesel engines; steel forgings; surface hardening

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

One or more of the following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the
purchaser in the inquiry or order. Details of these supplementary requirements shall be agreed upon
by the manufacturer and the purchaser.

S1. Nonmetallic Inclusion Rating S2.3 The alternate hardness values shall be interpolated
S1.1 The nonmetallic inclusion rating for steel bars or from the values given in Table 2, but shall be in increments of
billets to be used for making CGF crankshafts shall be done in 0.05 mm.
accordance with an agreed upon practice, or one of the
following standards: Practice E 45—Method D, DIN 50 602, S3. Machining Before Heat Treatment
or JIS G 0555. S3.1 Forgings shall be rough machined to agreed upon
S1.2 The acceptance criteria for the nonmetallic inclusion dimensions prior to heat treatment. for mechanical properties
rating shall be specified by the purchaser.
S4. Additional Chemical Elements
S2. Alternate Tensile and Hardness Requirements
S2.1 The purchaser shall specify alternate tensile strength S4.1 In addition to the elements specified in Table 1 for a
and hardness requirements to those specified in Table 2. specific grade, additional elements shall be added to the steel
S2.2 The alternate tensile strength values shall be interpo- within, ranges agreed upon between manufacturer and pro-
lated from the values given in Table 2. For strength levels ducer.
higher than Class 7 in Table 2 the requirements shall be agreed S4.2 The chemical analysis of the modified grade shall be
between the purchaser and the manufacturer. reported as required by the certification section.

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 A 983/A 983M – 01
S5. Mechanical Testing crankshaft drawing. The depth of hardening, hardness require-
S5.1 For each crankshaft, tension testing at the prolongation ments, and location limits for the hardened zones shall be as
mid radius position shall be done at both ends of the crank- specified in the drawing or in written instructions from the
shaft. A heat treatment weight, excluding test prolongations, in purchaser. Unless otherwise specified the producer may temper
excess of 6000 lb [3000 kg] may be specified by the purchaser the crankshaft on completion of hardening to obtain the
as the point at which testing both ends of the crankshaft is required hardness.
required. S10.2 The hardening pattern and the hardness profile
S5.2 The maximum difference in ultimate tensile strength through the hardened case shall be established by sectioning
between tests taken at opposite ends of the crankshaft shall be test pieces representative of the crankpin and main bearing
specified by the purchaser. journals. The material, contour, and diameter of these test
pieces shall closely approximate those of the crankshaft so that
S6. Test Frequency it can be shown that the hardening process can meet the
S6.1 Instead of the tension testing frequency specified in drawing requirements, including the extent of hardening at the
6.1.5, each crankshaft shall be tested from an integral prolon- oil holes.
gation. S10.3 Final magnetic particle examination of the crankshaft
S7. Charpy Impact Testing shall follow finish grinding and polishing of the crankshaft.
S10.4 If required by the purchaser the marking requirements
S7.1 From each crankshaft test prolongation used for ten-
for the crankshaft shall be augmented to denote that the
sion testing, one set of three longitudinal charpy V-notch
crankshaft has been induction hardened on the bearing sur-
specimens shall be taken at the mid radius position, for testing
faces.
at room temperature. The notch shall be oriented at right angles
to the surface of the prolongation, that is, radially. The
absorbed energy requirements shall be specified by the pur- S11. Fully Induction Hardened Crankshafts
chaser. S11.1 Full induction hardening of a crankshaft indicates that
all designated surfaces including bearing fillets have been
S8. Ultrasonic Examination
hardened. The designated surfaces shall be as shown in the
S8.1 Ultrasonic examination of the starting crankshaft bar, crankshaft drawing. The required surface hardness and depth
or the forged and heat treated crankshaft, or both, shall be done of hardening shall be as described in the crankshaft drawing or
according to the requirements in Specification A 503 for as agreed to between purchaser and producer.
continuous grain flow crankshafts. In the event that the S11.2 The producer shall establish that the required hard-
purchaser does not state in the inquiry or order that ultrasonic ness pattern on the crankpin and main bearing journals, and at
examination of the starting bar is required, then only the heat the oil holes, together with the necessary fillet hardening can be
treated crankshaft shall be examined. achieved by means of representative test sections that replicate
S8.2 The acceptance criteria for the ultrasonic examina- the material, major dimensions, excess stock, and surface finish
tion(s) shall be specified by the purchaser. of the crankshaft at the time of hardening.
S9. Surface Nitriding S11.3 Magnetic particle examination of the crankshaft shall
S9.1 The surfaces designated in the crankshaft drawing follow final grinding and polishing of the crankshaft.
shall be nitrided. Significant details such as the surface S11.4 Marking of the crankshaft may be specified by the
hardness, disposition of white layer, case depth, and limitations purchaser to indicate that the crankshaft has been fully induc-
on localized imperfection removal shall be as agreed upon tion hardened.
between the manufacturer and purchaser.
S9.2 Magnetic particle examination of the crankshaft shall S12. Special Packaging
follow final grinding or polishing and agreed upon white layer S12.1 When specified by the purchaser special packaging
removal. shall be done to help preclude corrosion or mechanical damage
S9.3 Special identification marking, as instructed by the during shipping and storage.
purchaser, shall be included with the crankshaft marking
requirements specified in the drawing or order. S13. Additional Macro Examination
S10. Induction Hardening S13.1 Additional grain flow macro sections or sections from
S10.1 The crankshaft crankpin and main bearing journal other forged shapes in the crankshaft shall be taken as agreed
surfaces shall be induction hardened as specified in the upon between manufacturer and purchaser.

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 A 983/A 983M – 01
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