Abstract

In the present scenario, composites are widely used in most of the industries in place of steel, due to low weight to strength ratio. In automobile industry, one can think of replacing parts with composites. The aim of this paper is to suggest the best composite material for design and fabrication of complete mono composite leaf spring. A single leaf with variable thickness and variable width for constant cross sectional area of different composite materials, with similar mechanical and geometrical properties to the multi leaf spring, were modeled and analyzed. The finite element results using ANSYS software showing stresses and deflections were verified with analytical results. The design constraints were stresses and displacement. Compared to the steel spring, the composite spring has stresses and deflection that are much lower, and the spring weight is nearly 78% lower.

Key words: Leaf spring, composite, steel spring.