INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SHRINK-FITTED JOINTS IN ASSEMBLED CRANKSHAFTS

This work describes the investigations on the shrink-fitted joints. The models of the marine engine cranks and pivots were made in the scale 1: 5 considering the real manufacturing conditions of the large-sized crankshafts. The results of the ultrasonic measurements of the stresses were compared to the temperature distribution during the cooling of the assembled couplings. The conclusion was that the unsteady stress distribution might be caused by the unsteady cooling process. As a consequence, more tight joints may reveal not better ability to bear a load torque.