FAILURE ANALYSIS OF NATRUAL FIBRE REINFORCED POLIMER COMPOSITE LEAF SPRING

Automotive sector was currently working on Conventional components were Substituted with the high efficient materials having light weight. Fiber reinforced composite polymers are one such material (FRCP). Leaf spring is the main element used in the suspension system. Fatigue miscarriage is the cardinal mode of failure in leaf springs due to the shock loads experienced. Replacing steel with fiber composites aids in reducing the number of leaves (mono leaf spring) thus reducing weight without compromising its mechanical properties. This work includes making leaf spring with banyan and Neem fibers as reinforcement in epoxy matrix substance. Fibers were prepared by Filament winding and hand lay-up was applied in specimen making. Failure analysis was done by mechanical testing to obtain its fatigue strength and investigate mechanical properties. Statistical analysis also was done to find its performance at virtual application.