Development and Characterization of Carbon-Fiber/Epoxy Woven Wave Spring Fabrication
Mentor 1
Rani El-Hajjar
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
24-4-2015 10:30 AM
End Date
24-4-2015 11:45 AM
Description
Multi-turn wave springs have many advantages over traditional coiled springs. The load in the axial direction is 100% transferable, a higher thrust load can be achieved with a smaller axial height, and the weight can be significantly reduced because the axial height is reduced. Metals, most commonly steels, are used to produce multi-turn wave springs. The use of carbon-fiber/epoxy woven material would greatly reduce the weight compared to steel or brass wave springs. The process of creating carbon-fiber/epoxy woven wave springs will be designed and validated. Molds are designed to layup and cure the pre-impregnated carbon-fiber/epoxy material in the form of the wave spring. Optimum layup sequencing will be determined by using finite element analysis (FEA) techniques to determine stress concentrations in the wave spring. Creating a process for carbon-fiber/epoxy wave springs to be produced is important for further research on the mechanical behavior of the wave springs. Once initial prototypes can be made, parameters such as wave number, wave height, and thickness can be optimized through characterization. Fatigue characterization could also be done to determine how carbon-fiber/epoxy woven wave springs compare to metal wave springs. With a lower weight to axial height ratio, the use of carbon-fiber/epoxy woven wave springs in the automotive racing industry could be in demand.
Development and Characterization of Carbon-Fiber/Epoxy Woven Wave Spring Fabrication
Union Wisconsin Room
Multi-turn wave springs have many advantages over traditional coiled springs. The load in the axial direction is 100% transferable, a higher thrust load can be achieved with a smaller axial height, and the weight can be significantly reduced because the axial height is reduced. Metals, most commonly steels, are used to produce multi-turn wave springs. The use of carbon-fiber/epoxy woven material would greatly reduce the weight compared to steel or brass wave springs. The process of creating carbon-fiber/epoxy woven wave springs will be designed and validated. Molds are designed to layup and cure the pre-impregnated carbon-fiber/epoxy material in the form of the wave spring. Optimum layup sequencing will be determined by using finite element analysis (FEA) techniques to determine stress concentrations in the wave spring. Creating a process for carbon-fiber/epoxy wave springs to be produced is important for further research on the mechanical behavior of the wave springs. Once initial prototypes can be made, parameters such as wave number, wave height, and thickness can be optimized through characterization. Fatigue characterization could also be done to determine how carbon-fiber/epoxy woven wave springs compare to metal wave springs. With a lower weight to axial height ratio, the use of carbon-fiber/epoxy woven wave springs in the automotive racing industry could be in demand.
