• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2004

The fatigue life in wheels was predicted by simulating the experimental method using Finite-Element analysis. Based on a high frequency fatigue property, calculations of the stresses in wheels were performed by simulating the rotating bending fatigue test. Wheels made of an aluminum alloy(A356.2) were tested using a bending fatigue tester. Results from bending fatigue test showed a linear correlation between bending moment and stress amplitude. Consequently, Finite-Element calculations were performed by a linear analysis. In order to find stress-cycles curves, spoke parts of wheel were tested using a rotary bending fatigue tester. Also, highly accurate Finite-Element analysis requires regression lines and confidence intervals from these results. In conclusion, if the fatigue data related to the material and manufacturing procedure are reliable, the prediction on fatigue lift in wheels can be carried out with high accuracy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.139-142
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• 2002

This study presents a mathematical model predicting the stress-strain behavior of fiber reinforced (FMMCs) and fiber/particle reinforced metal matrix composites (F/P MMCs). MMCs were fabricated by squeeze casting method using Al2O3 short fiber and particle as reinforcement, and A356 aluminum alloy as matrix. The fiber/particle ratios of F/P MMCs were 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 with the total reinforcement volume fraction of 20 vol.%, and the FMMCs were reinforced with 10 vol,%, 15 vol. %, 20 vol. % of fibers. Tensile tests were conducted and compared with predictions which were derived using laminate analogy theory and multi-failure model of reinforcements. Results show that the tensile strength of FMMCs with 10 vol.% of fiber was well matched with prediction, and as the fiber volume increases, predictions become larger than experimental results. The difference between the prediction and experiment is considered to be a result of matrix allowance of fiber damage in tensile loading. As the fiber volume fraction in FMMCs increases, the fiber damage increases and so that the tensile strength is reduced. The strength of F/P MMCs approaches more closely to the prediction than FMMCs reinforced with 20 vol.% of fibers because F/P MMCs contains small quantity of fibers and thus has a positive effect in fiber strengthening.