Numerical investigation on composite mono-leaf springs reinforced with Polyurethane/Carbon nanotubes (PU/CNTs) nanoweb interlayers

Abstract

Composite materials have been widely used in automobile industry to reduce vehicle weight and cut CO2 emissions. With the rapid advancement of nanotechnology, it is now possible to improve the mechanical performance of these materials more than ever before. In this study, mechanical behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composite mono-leaf springs reinforced with polyurethane/carbon nanotubes (PU/CNTs) nanoweb interlayers was investigated numerically. The effect of hybridization in composite leaf springs was revealed. The numerical analyses were carried by using ANSYS Workbench with ACP module. The numerical verification of the finite element model was carried out by comparing numerical results against analytical calculations. Then, the verified FE model was extended to this study. The numerical results showed that the stiffness of the composite wave springs could be increased by 18% with the addition of PU/CNTs nanofibers (CNT content: 5 wt.%) in the interlaminar region without weight and thickness increase. It was also observed that the natural frequency values increased by 8% (CNT content: 5 wt.%) after the addition of these nanofibers.