Development of fracture splitting connecting rod

The fracture splitting method used with connecting rod (C/rod) is attracting attention as a mechanical method that can reduce production cost by decreasing the manufacturing process. In this method, powder metals and forged steel (C70S6) are generally used. These materials are superior in fracture splitting properties, but inferior in fatigue strength and machinability. Therefore, the authors developed microalloyed steel for C/rod which has high fatigue strength and machinability, and started the mass production of fracture splitting C/rod using the steel.