Fibreglass Suspension Springs anyone?

[Gally]

https://www.audi-mediaservices.com/...itteilungen/2014/06/30/audi_bringing_new.html

• Suspension springs of glass fiber-reinforced polymer instead of steel

• For more precise driving: 40 percent weight savings

 

[Scrooge]

Hmm It just doesn't seem right.

I'm sure it's been tested to buggery but my brain just says no.

 

[Addicted]

I'd be interested to see how they are long term, or if they are structurally more solid or weaker than the steel ones.

Not surprised though, we've gone from metals to carbon-fiber for body strength, so it was only a matter of time.

 

[Gally]

Does boggle the mind!

 

[Ph1 Tom]

It was only a matter of time. Fibre/Polymer composites don't corrode or fatigue. If they are rated highly enough then only a massive impact will brake them and that would generally brake other components anyway.

 

[cs_rich]

Presumably fails in a safer way too, i.e. metal just fails completely, fibrous materials tend to break more gradually.

 

[Padso]

Pity BMW didn't do these with the e46 m3! Forever rusting and snapping the rear springs

 

[JD]

f**k that; S3 OEM metal springs last less time than a Renault's electronics!

 

[philmots]

Presumably fails in a safer way too, i.e. metal just fails completely, fibrous materials tend to break more gradually.

Tbh it's the opposite... Metals bend, composites take a lot then snap without much warning..

I'm more concerned with the new generation composite body airliners. It's unknown territory how they'll take the cycles.

 

[George182]

It's certainly an interesting development - anything to safely reduce unsprung weight has to be a winner!

 

[dajones]

Is it april fools yet?

 

[Addicted]

I'm more concerned with the new generation composite body airliners. It's unknown territory how they'll take the cycles.

Usually they're way way stronger though than the counter-part metals, so while it seems insane, in reality you're safer
The key bits will likely still be metal (where the wings are joined etc to allow the same flex they have currently).

 

[BashRacing]

Iveco Daily vans have had GFRP leaf springs for years now, They seem to be very strong

 

[Jaff.]

Usually they're way way stronger though than the counter-part metals, so while it seems insane, in reality you're safer :smile:
The key bits will likely still be metal (where the wings are joined etc to allow the same flex they have currently).

think thats what he meant by "cycles"

 

[Addicted]

I presumed he meant heat cycles, ie flights :]

But yep, that makes more sense! :]

 

[Jaff.]

its more than heat cycles though. but i get what your saying.

"cycles" has a wide scope lol

 

[Addicted]

yep

 

[Carbonraider]

Tbh it's the opposite... Metals bend, composites take a lot then snap without much warning..

I'm more concerned with the new generation composite body airliners. It's unknown territory how they'll take the cycles.

Trust me they'll take the cycles alright. We had a static test aircraft in Munich that went through the extremes of flexing...

In the end after 50000 plus cycles of up down we gave up as we just couldn't get it to snap.

 

[BashRacing]

Do they put them through thermal heat cycles as well ?

 

[philmots]

I presumed he meant heat cycles, ie flights :]

But yep, that makes more sense! :]

its more than heat cycles though. but i get what your saying.

"cycles" has a wide scope lol

I meant flight cycles (1 take off and 1 landing is 1 cycle) which I'm assuming takes everything (heat etc) into account.

Trust me they'll take the cycles alright. We had a static test aircraft in Munich that went through the extremes of flexing...

View attachment 115779

In the end after 50000 plus cycles of up down we gave up as we just couldn't get it to snap.

Very interesting. Thanks

 

[philmots]

Iveco Daily vans have had GFRP leaf springs for years now, They seem to be very strong

I'm in Garforth too, where are you?

 

[BashRacing]

garforth cliff ,
off ninelands

 

[DOHC-kinda-guy]

Fiber glass strands with an epoxy resin... I was extremely skeptical until I read the article, now I'm less so, but still don't know if I trust it. Steel has a nice property of being extremely flexible making it ideal for springs, while as fiber glass is stronger than steel but more brittle. Only time will really tell if it's better. I'd prefer not to replace something every 10k for a mere 40% weight savings... Especially when springs aren't really that heavy anyway. I'd be all for fiberglass control arms or something didn't have to (or shouldn't) flex though...

 

[Rob]

Does not compute.

 

[Matt W]

Renault got there first with the Megane 275 trophy R!

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=30177