Forged Shafts
Forged shafts, spindles and rotor shafts with continuous grain flow — supplied rough machined, finish machined or heat treated per drawing.
Forged Shafts
Shafts are the classic open-die forging: long rounds worked through their full cross-section to align the grain flow with the load path, close porosity and deliver the fatigue strength machined-from-rolled-bar parts cannot match. CREATEEL supplies straight shafts, step shafts, spindle and main shafts, transmission shafts, rotor shafts and tie rods.
Our Jiangsu partner mill (Zhuhong) specializes in shaft forgings with in-house rough and finish machining, heat treatment and 100% ultrasonic testing; our Shandong mill (Panjin) covers the heavy end — wind-power main shafts, rotor shafts and large tie rods. Marine shaft forgings are supported by CCS class approval, with DNV certification in progress.
Technical Specifications
Available Material Grades
| Category | Typical Grades | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | 45#, C45, S355J2 | General transmission shafts, line shafting |
| Alloy Steel | 42CrMo4 / 4140, 34CrNiMo6 / 1.6582, 40CrNiMoA / 4340 | Heavy-duty shafts, spindles, high-torque drives |
| Case-Hardening Steel | 20CrNiMo / 8620, 20MnCr5, 18CrNiMo7-6 | Carburized pinion shafts, geared components |
| Rotor & Large Shaft Steel | 30Cr2Ni4MoV, 25Cr2Ni4MoV, 34CrMo1A | Wind-power main shafts, generator rotor shafts |
* Other grades available on request against chemical composition or drawing.
Available Dimensions
| Product Type | Size Range | Max Piece Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Round Shafts | Ø120 – 1,000 mm × up to 12,000 mm | ~15 t |
| Step Shafts | Per drawing, multi-diameter | ~15 t |
| Wind-Power Main Shafts | Per drawing, flanged ends, QT condition | ~15 t |
* Typical ranges; longer shafts and special geometries on request.
Typical Applications
Wind-Power Drivetrain
Main shafts, rotor shafts and pinion shafts for wind turbines, delivered QT with full UT records.
Industrial Transmission
Transmission and torque shafts for reducers, rolling equipment, marine and heavy machinery.
Tie Rods & Tension Members
Long forged tie rods and pull rods for presses, molds and structural ties, machined with threaded ends.
Marine & Energy Shafts
Propeller and intermediate shafts under CCS class approval; DNV certification in progress.
Quality Control & Testing
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT) – per EN 10228-3 / ASTM A388
- Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) – per ASTM E1444
- Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) – per ASTM E165
- Dimensional Inspection – 100% recorded
Mechanical Testing
- Tensile Test – per ASTM E8 / EN ISO 6892
- Impact Test (Charpy V) – per ASTM E23
- Hardness Test (Brinell / Rockwell)
- Chemical Analysis – spectrometric
Certification: EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate standard, 3.2 via third-party inspection (SGS / BV / TUV) on request. Heat number stamped on every piece for full traceability.
Manufacturing Process
Our forged steel products are produced through a 12-step forging process combining controlled heating, precision open/closed-die forging, tailored heat treatment, and CNC finish machining to achieve superior metallurgical structure and dimensional accuracy.
Raw Material Selection & Inspection
High-quality ingots or continuous-cast billets (EAF-LF-VD refined) are selected based on grade specification. Chemical analysis, surface inspection, and UT testing are performed.
Billet Sawing to Forging Blanks
Raw stock is cut to calculated forging weights using high-speed band saws, accounting for scale loss, flash, and machining allowances.
Furnace Heating
Blanks are heated to 1150–1250°C (depending on grade) in a gas-fired bogie-hearth or chamber furnace with precise zone temperature control to ensure uniform austenitization.
Open-Die / Closed-Die Forging
Heated blanks are forged using hydraulic presses or air hammers. Open-die forging uses flat/V-dies for simple bars; closed-die forging uses precision tooling for near-net-shape profiled components.
Trimming & Punching (Closed-Die)
For closed-die forgings, excess flash is trimmed in a mechanical press and holes are punched while the part is still hot, improving material utilization.
Post-Forging Heat Treatment
Forgings undergo normalizing, annealing, or quenching & tempering per material grade to refine grain structure, relieve residual stresses, and achieve specified hardness and mechanical properties.
Blasting & Surface Cleaning
Scale and oxide layer are removed by shot blasting (steel shot S230–S330) to reveal surface defects and prepare for machining.
Rough Machining
Excess forging allowance is removed by CNC lathe turning, leaving 2–3 mm finishing stock. Rough machining also removes surface decarburization and forging irregularities.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
100% ultrasonic inspection per EN 10228-3 or ASTM A388 detects internal defects such as cracks, inclusions, porosity, and segregation. Acceptance criteria as per grade requirements.
Finish Machining
CNC turning, milling, and drilling achieve final dimensional tolerances (up to IT7) and surface roughness (Ra 1.6–3.2 μm) per customer drawings.
Hardness & Metallographic Testing
Brinell/Rockwell hardness verification, tensile testing on sacrificial coupons, and metallographic examination for grain size, inclusion rating, and carbide structure (critical for tool/die steels).
Final Inspection & Packaging
Dimensional inspection of all critical features, MPI/LPT for surface defects if required, stamping grade and heat number, rust-proof oiling, and packing in wooden cases or steel bundles.
Applications
Where our products deliver proven performance across industries worldwide.
Shafts & Rotating Equipment
Forged round bar is the raw material for motor, pump, turbine, and marine shafts, where UT-verified internal soundness and through-hardened properties prevent in-service failures.
✓ UT per EN 10228-3
Gears, Pinions & Drive Components
Case-hardening and through-hardening grades (17CrNiMo6, 42CrMo4) supply gear blanks that carry high torque with controlled distortion.
✓ QT and case-hardening grades
Flanges & Pressure Fittings
Forged bar feeds flange rings, blind flanges, and fittings for pressure systems in carbon, alloy, and stainless grades.
✓ ASME/EN flange materials
Tooling & Die Holders
Pre-hardened and tool-steel rounds support die holders, mold bases, and tooling components requiring uniform hardness.
✓ Pre-hardened 2738/P20 options
Downhole & Wellhead Components
Alloy bar feeds wellhead blocks, valve bodies, and downhole tools requiring API-grade material with traceability.
✓ API 6A material classes
Custom Machined Components
Cut-to-length, pre-machined, and fully machined round bar components reduce your in-house machining cycle time.
✓ Cut-to-length + rough machining
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of shaft forgings do you supply?＋
Straight shafts, step shafts, spindles, transmission shafts, tie rods, wind-power main shafts and rotor shafts, from Ø120 to 1000 mm and up to 12 m long.
What grades do you recommend for heavy-duty shafts?＋
42CrMo4 / 4140 and 34CrNiMo6 / 1.6582 for high-torque duty; 8620 / 20MnCr5 / 18CrNiMo7-6 for carburized pinion shafts; 30Cr2Ni4MoV for rotor shafts.
Can you machine shafts to drawing?＋
Yes — rough machined with allowance, or fully finish machined including journals, threads and flanged ends.
Do you supply wind-power main shafts?＋
Yes — QT condition with full ultrasonic records and mechanical testing; our partner mills regularly deliver wind drivetrain forgings.
How is internal quality guaranteed?＋
100% ultrasonic testing per EN 10228-3 / ASTM A388 with defined acceptance classes, plus mechanical and chemical testing per heat.
What documentation is provided?＋
EN 10204 3.1 MTC, UT report with acceptance class, heat treatment charts and mechanical/chemical results; 3.2 on request.
Ready to Source Forged Shafts?
Send us your shaft drawings for a competitive quote. Our engineering team responds within 24 hours.
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