Crack Repair Using Metal Stitching and Metal Locking | RA Power Solutions

Cracks in cast iron and other metal components can lead to significant operational challenges in the power generation, marine, manufacturing, and heavy engineering industries. Traditional repair methods, like welding, often introduce thermal stress, weakening the material over time. With over 44 years of experience, RA Power Solutions specializes in metal stitching and metal locking, two highly effective cold repair techniques that restore the integrity of cracked components without causing additional damage.

What is Metal Stitching?

Metal stitching is a cold repair method for mending cracks in cast iron, aluminum, and other metals without welding. It involves drilling precise holes along the crack, inserting metal stitching pins, and locking the pieces together to restore the component’s original strength. This technique is ideal for engine blocks, turbine casings, compressors, and other high-stress industrial machinery parts.

Metal stitching and Metal locking
Metal stitching and Metal locking

What is Metal Locking?

Metal locking is a reinforcement method used alongside metal stitching. Custom-designed locks are inserted into the stitched area to provide additional support, preventing further crack progression and ensuring a long-lasting repair. This method enhances the durability of the repaired component, making it as strong as or even stronger than the original structure.

metal locking
Metal locking

Why Choose Metal Stitching and Metal Locking?

Compared to traditional welding, metal stitching and locking offer several advantages:

  1. Cold Repair Process: No heat is applied, preventing material distortion, stress buildup, and further cracking.
  2. Onsite Repairs: No need to transport heavy machinery; repairs can be performed at the client’s location, reducing downtime.
  3. Retains Original Strength: Unlike welding, which can weaken cast iron, metal stitching and metal locking maintain or even improve the structural integrity.
  4. Cost-Effective: Eliminates the need for expensive replacements and reduces overall maintenance costs.

Benefits of Metal Stitching and Metal Locking

RA Power Solutions has successfully performed repairs for various industries, including:

  • Marine Industry: Repairs on ship engine blocks and connecting rods to avoid costly replacements.
  • Power Plants: Restoration of turbine casings, generators, and compressors to maintain efficiency.
  • Manufacturing Plants: Fixing cracks in heavy-duty machines and industrial equipment.

RA Power Solutions provides metal stitching and metal locking services in countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including India, UAE, USA, UK, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Singapore, and Australia. With a strong global presence, the company offers onsite repair solutions for industries like marine, power plants, and heavy engineering, helping clients avoid costly replacements and downtime. Their expertise extends to Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nigeria, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Africa, ensuring reliable crack repair services worldwide.

Crack repair by metal stitching
Crack repair by metal stitching

For more information regarding repair cast iron, repair crack cast iron, or cast iron repaircrack repair by metal stitching and metal locking, contact us at rajshahani@rapowersolutions.com or info@rapowersolutions.com, or call us at +91 9582647131 or +91 9810012383.




Cracks in cast iron and other metal components can lead to significant operational challenges in the power generation, marine, manufacturing, and heavy engineering industries. Traditional repair methods, like welding, often introduce thermal stress, weakening the material over time. With over 44 years of experience, RA Power Solutions specializes in metal stitching and metal locking, two … Continue reading “Crack Repair Using Metal Stitching and Metal Locking | RA Power Solutions”

Cast Iron Crack Repair | Metal Stitching Crack Repair | Repairing Crack Cast Iron by Metal Stitching & Metal Lock – RA Power Solutions

Metal stitching and metal lock process of repairing a crack casting or complete damage of cast iron parts of large equipments is considered to be the ultimate solution of successful repair. The repair of cracks and repair of damaged casting by metal locking or metal stitching process is simple and most effective method of repairing cracks in cast iron and aluminium components. The process is entirely a cold process and no heat is generated like in process of crack repair or damage casting repair by conventional and old method of welding.

RA Power Solutions having experience of more than forty years in providing cold metal stitching cast iron, onsite repair, and metal locking services for high-capacity main engine, auxiliary engine, and large and heavy rotary equipment installed on vessel or in industry. We extend crack repair services through our experienced and factory-trained technicians.

The following are the main features of crack repair undertaken by RA Power Solutions:

  • Detection of crack in cast iron or aluminium components: It is important that proper procedure is followed by experienced technicians to detect the exact location, length, and intensity of the crack. We have experience that in most of cases, no procedure is followed to identify the intensity of the crack which results to the failure of the component even after the repair by metal lock and metal stitching.
  • RA Power Solutions possess latest equipment to undertake MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection) by qualified level 2 technicians, and we give great importance to the detection process of the cracks. The unattended cracks can grow and result to the failure of the component.
  • Once the number of cracks, length of crack, intensity, and depth of crack is determined and identified the repairs are undertaken by the metal stitching and metal lock process.

Some of the advantages of repairing cracks by metal stitching metal lock are mentioned below:

  • It is our experience that the majority of repairs of damaged components or cracks can be repaired on site with no requirement of dismantling the equipment. This reduces the downtime and of course the cost involved in dismantling and transportation of the equipment.
  • Repair of cracks and repair of damaged gray iron casting or aluminium by metal stitching and metal lock process does not generate any heat. Thus, it does not require any machining process. No alignment or profile is damaged.
  • In the case of diesel engines, compressors, or rotatory equipment majority of the parts are of aluminum or cast iron. It is possible to repair them by metal stitching metal lock process. Hence, no need of replacement of parts. It reduces cost of maintenance considerably.
  • Repair of crack by metal stitching metal lock process absorbs compression stresses which is of great advantage.

RA Power Solutions have been extending metal stitching, metal lock, and metal surgery services all over the world. The technicians with years of experience come to your site or on board the vessel for repairs. Our technicians possess Indian CDC and can board the vessel and sail in shortest possible time. Thousands of jobs of serious damage have been repaired successfully by RA Power Solutions.

For more information about cold metal stitching, metal stitching crack repair, cast iron metal stitching, repair of crack in cast iron casting, repairing cast iron metal lock, and metal locking services, please email us at rajshahani@rapowersolutions.com or info@rapowersolutions.com, or call us at +91 9582647131 or +91 9810012383.

Metal stitching and metal lock process of repairing a crack casting or complete damage of cast iron parts of large equipments is considered to be the ultimate solution of successful repair. The repair of cracks and repair of damaged casting by metal locking or metal stitching process is simple and most effective method of repairing … Continue reading “Cast Iron Crack Repair | Metal Stitching Crack Repair | Repairing Crack Cast Iron by Metal Stitching & Metal Lock – RA Power Solutions”

Lock and Stitch Cast Iron Repair | Metal Surgery | Cracked Engine Block Repair | Repair Cracked Cast Aluminum

RA Power Solutions undertakes the repair of crack or damaged engine components manufactured out of cast steel, repair cracked cast aluminum, cast iron, or aluminum. We follow the process of Metal Stitching & Metal Locking for repair of crack or damaged components. In most cases, the repairs are undertaken on-site without dismantling the major components. This results in the saving of downtime of the plant & money.

Metal Stitching | Metal Locking

RA Power Solutions is a leader in this field of repair of large damaged casting components by Metal stitching & Metal Locking, we offer crack repair services 24/7 through our technicians who are well experienced. Our senior-most technician executing crack repair by metal locking and metal stitching process has 44 years of experience and has a record of executing more than 1500 jobs which are saved from rejection and are performing satisfactorily.

The repair of Crack and damaged casting by Metal Locking & Metal Stitching process

RA Power Solutions was developed in late 1930 as a cold option for repair of Crack or damaged cast iron components & equipment. This process of casting crack repair has proved successful as it is cold and stress-free without the generation of any heat. Most of the crack repair jobs undertaken by us, it does not require machining. Our technicians have Indian CDC / Palau CDC which facilitates them to execute the Crack repair even while sailing the vessel this again proves to be of great advantage to the ship owners and the industries.

The author is Mr. Raj Shahani Managing Director of RA Power Solutions having experience of almost four decades of working on high-capacity diesel engines, turbines, and rotary equipment. The company specializes in executing the repairs i.e. metal stitching/metal locking, grinding and repair of crankshafts, rebabbitting of bearings, Cast Iron Repair, connecting rod reconditioning, overhauling of Engines which have serious problems resulting in the immense saving to the owners.

For more information about metal surgery, engine block repair, metal surgery process, cold metal repair, cast iron stitching, cast iron engine block repair, or broken engine block, engine connecting rods please email us at rajshahani@rapowersolutions.com or info@rapowersolutions.com, or call us at +91 9582647131 or +91 9810012383.

RA Power Solutions undertakes the repair of crack or damaged engine components manufactured out of cast steel, repair cracked cast aluminum, cast iron, or aluminum. We follow the process of Metal Stitching & Metal Locking for repair of crack or damaged components. In most cases, the repairs are undertaken on-site without dismantling the major components. … Continue reading “Lock and Stitch Cast Iron Repair | Metal Surgery | Cracked Engine Block Repair | Repair Cracked Cast Aluminum”

Metal locking of Engine Block by Experienced Technicians | Bangladesh

At RA Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we offer specialized cold metal locking and stitching services for repairing cracked or damaged engine blocks and cast components—without welding or heat damage.

Real-World Case Study: Wartsila 18V32 Engine Block Repair

  • A power plant engine block of Wartsila 18V32 suffered catastrophic failure due to a connecting rod—and was estimated by OEM at 9 months delivery time and prohibitively high cost.
  • RA Power Solutions completed the repair onsite, without dismantling the crankshaft or removing major parts, while it remained installed on its foundation. The damaged area exceeded 72″ × 42″.
  • With over 45 years of experience and more than 1,300 major block repairs, we delivered a cost-effective, fast-response solution with a permanent outcome.
Metal Stitching & Locking of Crankcase Door is under progress
Metal Stitching & Locking of Crankcase Door is under progress

Why Choose Our Metal Locking & Stitching Service?

  • Completely cold process — no heat input or welding means no thermal distortion or damage.
  • Insitu crankshaft repairs—no transport or dismantling, meaning minimal downtime and operational disruption.
  • Superior mechanical strength—the stitched repair often regains or exceeds original tensile capacity.
  • Applications across materials—effective for cast iron, steel, and aluminum in engines, compressors, turbines, pump casings, and more.
  • Dedicated, experienced technicians who can mobilize worldwide—Metal locking of Engine Block, including vessel boarding with Indian CDC clearance—for fast turnaround.

Our Repair Workflow:

Step Activity
 Crack Detection Magnetic particle inspection (MPI, Level 2 certified) identifies crack location, length, and severity.
Damage Preparation Damaged sections are drilled and cleaned for accuracy.
Stitching Key Installation Special pins and interlocking metal keys are inserted across the fracture.
Surface Finishing Pins are ground flush; no further machining is required—original profiles are preserved.
Final Checks Optional pressure testing ensures a gas- or water-tight seal when needed.

For more details regarding metal stitching, metal locking services, repairing cast iron metal lock, cast iron repair, and Metal Locking of engine block at Low Price, email us your query at rajshahani@rapowersolutions.com or info@rapowersolutions.com, or call us at +91 9582647131 or +91 9810012383.

FAQs:

1. What is metal locking of an engine block?

It’s a cold repair process to fix cracks in cast iron or steel engine blocks without welding.

2. How does metal locking work?

Special pins and metal locks are inserted across the crack to restore strength without heat.

3. Is metal locking better than welding?

Yes, because it avoids heat distortion, maintains alignment, and prevents further cracking.

4. What materials can be repaired using metal locking?

Cast iron, cast steel, aluminum, and other brittle metals.

5. Can metal locking be done onsite?

Yes, RA Power Solutions offers in-situ repairs worldwide without dismantling the engine.

At RA Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we offer specialized cold metal locking and stitching services for repairing cracked or damaged engine blocks and cast components—without welding or heat damage. Real-World Case Study: Wartsila 18V32 Engine Block Repair A power plant engine block of Wartsila 18V32 suffered catastrophic failure due to a connecting rod—and was estimated by OEM … Continue reading “Metal locking of Engine Block by Experienced Technicians | Bangladesh”