Development of Surface Treatment and Application to Mass-Production of Titanium Connecting Rods

Production of a relatively inexpensive titanium connecting rod for a mass production motorcycle engine has been achieved. Previously, the high cost of Titanium and other factors limited its usage by the aerospace industry and motor sports racing.

As a material for mechanical parts titanium is light in weight and high in strength. In the engines of racing motorcycles the connecting rods, valves, and valve spring retainers which have been fabricated from a titanium alloy enhance the engine's performance.-1, -2

The cost of titanium alloy and its surface treatment is very expensive. -3, -4 Therefore the cost of the material was prohibitive and limited the application of titanium to competition machines. This paper outlines the development of a new surface treatment and application to titanium connecting rods. It was specifically applied to the connecting rods of a 750 cc motorcycle in 1987, the first in this field of industry. -5, -6, -7