Crankshafts and Camshafts
built to move.
nitriding to last.

08.08.2025

back to overview

They’re the beating heart of any combustion engine: crankshafts and camshafts. While the crankshaft transforms the linear movement of the pistons into rotational motion, the camshaft controls the opening and closing of intake and exhaust valves.

The base material plays a key role in overall component quality. Common choices include tempered steels, nitriding steels, and cast materials – all known for their high fatigue strength, toughness, and good machinability.

42CrMo4 | AISI 4140
36CrNiMo4 | AISI 4340
GJS-600

Typical failure mechanisms

Surface condition is often the decisive factor. Inadequate or improperly tuned manufacturing processes and heat treatments can trigger various wear mechanisms:

Adhesion: Poor lubrication combined with high loads leads to material transfer between components
(e.g. between crankshaft and plain bearing)
Abrasion: Foreign particles attack the surface.
Fatigue: Cyclic loading causes microcracks and surface spalling.
Corrosion: Media such as oil or condensed water trigger chemical reactions at the surface.
Thermal wear: High temperatures that are not dissipated efficiently lead to changes in microstructure.

Nitriding

THE solution

Nitriding creates a nitrogen-enriched surface with excellent wear and fatigue resistance.

Thanks to the low processing temperature (< 550 °C / 1020 °F ), distortion is virtually eliminated – making post-processing unnecessary. The resulting ceramic-like surface also offers excellent corrosion resistance, significantly extending the service life of crankshafts and camshafts.

Learn why nitriding the corresponding forging dies is also worth it:
Nitriding of Forging Dies

"Crankshafts and camshafts are subject to tight tolerances and extreme mechanical loads. That’s why true expertise is crucial in this field. RUBIG is such an expert – combining all competencies from forging to machining and surface hardening."
– Thomas Bauer, Sales Manager Industrial Furnaces

When surface becomes inner strength

Gas nitriding or plasma nitriding. In-house or outsourced. Individual parts or high-volume production.
RUBIG offers a comprehensive nitriding portfolio – tailored to your needs, regardless of scale or method.

What else RUBIG can do –
beyond nitriding shafts

Forging and precision machining of shafts or connecting rods

Bearing coatings for optimized friction and durability

Development of the ideal combination of base material and surface treatment

RUBIG Die Forge

RUBIG Coating Center

RUBIG Materials Engineering

Individual consulting for the nitriding of crankshafts or camshafts

Are you planning to nitride crankshafts or camshafts? Rely on our expertise in nitriding – for components that perform reliably under the highest loads.

Expert analysis for your crankshaft or camshaft – request it now!

Thomas Bauer

Sales Manager – Industrial Furnaces

at.office@rubig.com

+43 7242 293 83

Request a callback

Crankshafts and Camshafts built to move. nitriding to last.