Response of Composite Leaf Springs to Low Velocity Impact Loading

摘要

Leaf springs are the traditional suspension elements, occupying a vital position in the automobile industry. This paper deals us the replacement of existing steel leaf spring by composite leaf spring. The dimensions of existing middle steel leaf spring of commercial vehicle (Tata ace mini truck) were taken and fabricated using a specially designed die. Single leaf of the suspension springs, each made up composite with bidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), bidirectional glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and hybrid glass-carbon fiber reinforced plastic (G-CFRP), was fabricated by hand layup process. It is to be mentioned here that the cross sectional area of the composite spring same as the metallic spring. A low velocity impact test rig was fabricated in the laboratory with loading set up. The composite leaf springs were tested with the low velocity impact test rig. By using the low velocity impact test rig, the deflection due to various drop height were measured.