GL approves Goltens annealing process

Goltens was awarded worldwide approval following a formal review by GL of related government documents and procedures. The company’s process is designed to reduce excessive hardness in damaged crankshaft journals through annealing (heat treatment) of the crankshaft with a minimum amount of material removal.

Paul Friedberg, president of worldwide services, Goltens, said: “Obtaining GL approval is validation that our process is safe, repeatable and effective in repairing crankshafts that would otherwise likely have been condemned.”

The annealing process has proven that hardness can be reduced significantly to within acceptable limits and, after heat treatment, minor finish machining can repair the machinery to service with less loss of crankshaft diameter.

A recent example of the successful application is the restoration of a Sulzer 12 ZAV 40S crankshaft onboard a cruise ship in Alaska. Goltens’ procedure repaired the ship’s damaged crankpin journal. The work saved the ship replacement costs and unnecessary downtime.