Textile structural composites for automotive leaf spring application

This work dealt with the textile structural reinforced composites (TSRC) prepared by different textile structures as reinforcement in epoxy by employing vacuum assisted resin infusion molding (VARIM) process. The textile structures were used in form E-glass uni-directional (UD) tow, bi-directional (2D) plain woven fabric and 3D woven orthogonal fabric. Chopped fibers reinforced composite were also prepared to compare their performance with TSRC. All composite structures were prepared with similar volume fraction and identical processing condition. In this context influence of reinforcement architecture on the static and dynamic mechanical performance of composites were investigated for their applicability in automotive leaf spring compared to conventional steel. TSRC were analyzed for mechanical properties like tensile strength, flexural strength (3 point bending), Izod impact strength. Further damping and wear behavior were also investigated to know their applicability as leaf spring material. Mechanical performance of 3D woven based composite leaf spring were found significantly better than chopped, UD and 2D counterparts with regard to delamination, impact strength and improved storage modulus. Overall 3D composite leaf spring showed high potential for automotive leaf spring applications.