Experimental investigation of fiber reinforced composite leaf springs

KOÇHAN C., BELEVİ M.

MATERIALS TESTING, vol.59, no.10, pp.853-858, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 59 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.3139/120.111078
  • Journal Name: MATERIALS TESTING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.853-858
  • Keywords: Layered structures, composite leaf springs, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, fatigue properties, composite structure, HEAVY AXLE LOADS, JOINT PERFORMANCE, SURFACE-TREATMENT, EPOXY COMPOSITES, DESIGN, OPTIMIZATION
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study is to experimentally investigate fiber reinforced polymeric composite leaf springs which could be used in a light commercial vehicle instead of a double steel leaf spring. E-glass/epoxy, carbon/epoxy and E-glass-carbon/epoxy flat leaf springs were produced by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method with specially designed mold. Experimental results show that spring rates were 91.4, 98.4 and 97.1 N x mm(-1) for carbon/epoxy, E-glass/epoxy and E-glasscarbon/epoxy leaf springs, respectively. Fatigue tests indicate that the carbon/epoxy leaf springs have the longest average usage life with approximately 89 % weight reduction, although E-glass/epoxy ones satisfy the minimum usage life requirements with higher load carrying capacity with 82 % weight reduction.