Manufacturing Process for Production of Composite Leaf Springs for 5-Ton Truck

Abstract

The objective of this program was to design leaf springs for the Army 5-ton truck using composite materials and to establish the best manufacturing process for producing the springs in modest quantities (25 sets of spring assemblies per day), while maintaining consistent material properties. Ten rear spring assemblies (Phase I) and ten front spring assemblies (Phase II) were fabricated from the established process. Steel leaves were used in combination with fiberglass/epoxy leaves. The steel leaves assures interchangability with the existing all steel leaf springs. S-2 glass fibers was used in the composite leaves to meet the performance requirements. This report includes the results of the design study, material selection, and fabrication process evaluation, are included in the report. A description of the fabrication process used in making prototype parts is included as well as an economic analysis for producing composite leaf springs in large quantities. Originator - supplied keywords include: Fiberglass-Epoxy, Resin Matrix Composites, and Truck - Automotive Components.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA146881

Entities

People

  • R. N. Anderson

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aging (Materials)
  • Assembly
  • Composite Materials
  • Construction
  • Economic Analysis
  • Fabrication
  • Fiberglass
  • Glass Fibers
  • Laminates
  • Leaf Springs
  • Manufacturing
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanics

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Metallurgy
  • Reinforced Composite Materials