Title: Overview of factors contributing to steel spring performance and failure

Authors: Lauralice C.F. Canale, Renata Neves Penha, George E. Totten, Antonio C. Canale, Maria Regina Gasparini

Addresses: Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais, Aeronautica e Automobilistica, Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Trabalhador Sao-carlense 400, Sao Carlos, SP 13566–590, Brazil. ' Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais, Aeronautica e Automobilistica, Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Trabalhador Sao-carlense 400, Sao Carlos, SP 13566–590, Brazil. ' Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207–0751, USA. ' Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais, Aeronautica e Automobilistica, Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Trabalhador Sao-carlense 400, Sao Carlos, SP 13566–590, Brazil. ' Rassini NHK Auto-Pecas Ltda, Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil

Abstract: Leaf springs and coil springs are commonly used in the motor vehicle industry. Premature fatigue failure is a common failure mode. However, the reasons for these failures may be more complex and include: design deficiencies, heat treatment, steel alloy chemistry, intergranular cracking, presence of Fe-S inclusions, and grain boundary embrittlement. This paper will provide an overview of spring steel: chemistry, heat treatment, residual stress, fatigue failure, and failure analysis of leaf and coil springs.

Keywords: springs; spring steel; chemistry; heat treatment; residual stress; fatigue failure; failure analysis; spring performance; leaf springs; coil springs; automotive springs; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2007.015310

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2007 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.262 - 309

Published online: 07 Oct 2007 *

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