development of materials for automobile

THE EVOLUTION OF CRANKSHAFT MAT£R1ALS has continuously developed since the advent of the internal combustion engine in the 1880's. Steel produced by drop forging was the first material used. Although steels are still widely used, drop forging is now gradually being replaced by press forging. Graphitic cast steel was the first suitable cast metal developed in 1929 and was used for many years by the Ford Motor Company.