Experimental analysis of composite materials leaf spring used in automotive

Abstract

product modifications or replacement of old products with new and improved material items. Vehicle suspension systems are another area where these developments are carried out on a regular basis. More efforts are being made to improve the user's comfort. Appropriate combination of comfort riding attributes and economics in leaf spring production becomes an evident requirement. Many changes have been made to the suspension system throughout time in order to enhance it. Some of the most recent suspension system innovations include the invention of the parabolic leaf spring and the usage of composite materials for these springs. The implementation of composite materials by replacing steel in conventional leaf springs of a suspension system. Composite material having a lot of good properties like simple fabrication, low weight and low cost to performance .The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural properties of a hybrid leaf spring consisting of 95% Epoxy, 5% carbon, 5% glass fiber, and 5% hybrid carbon-glass fiber composite. The various specimens were produced using the manual layup method, specimen were subjected to tensile, hardness, and fatigue tests, with all data reported and compared. The experimental results showed an increase in Hardness, Tensile, and fatigue life when the reinforcing fibers are applied. The best results of the mechanical test obtained when hybrid reinforcement was applied.