Analysis of an Axle Failure under Torsional Load

Abstract:

Premature fracture of an axle under torsional load occurred after a tracked military tank had experienced field testing for only 80 kilometers. Visual metallographic examinations were performed with optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The investigation demonstrates that the premature fracture is caused by metallurgical problems inside the axle where the primary and secondary cracks originate, propagate, and eventually result in final catastrophic rupture through torsional fatigue. The failure mechanism is summarized and improvement of the fatigue lifetime for the axle is recommended.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 850)
• Pages: 101-106
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.850.101
• Online since: March 2016
• Authors: Shu Mei Li, Jian Jun Yang, Wei Dong Zhang, August Chang, Cai Xia Zhang, Yong Zhan Gao, Ming Liang Wu, Xue Feng Wu, Min Xia Li, J. Zhang*
• Keywords: Axle Failure, Suspension System, Torsional Fatigue, Tracked Vehicles

References

[1] CADSI, Dynamic analysis and design system track manual, Coralville, IA: CADSI, (1998).

[2] A. Wohler, über die Festigkeitsversuche mit Eisen und Stahl, Zeitschrift für Bauwesen 20 (1870) 73–106.

[3] H. J. Gough, Some experiments on the resistance of metals to fatigue under combined stress, Aeron Res Council Reports Memoranda. London: His Majesty's Stat. Office, (1951).

[4] H. Han, Analysis of fatigue failure on the keyway of the reduction gear input shaft connecting a diesel engine caused by torsional vibration, Engineering Failure Analysis 44 (2014) 285–298.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2014.05.012

[5] C. Moolwan, S. Netpu, Failure analysis of a two high gearbox shaft, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 88 (2013) 154 – 163.

DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.08.491

[6] M. Fonte, Bin Li, L. Reis, M. Freitas, Crankshaft failure analysis of a motor vehicle, Engineering Failure Analysis 35 (2013) 147–152.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2013.01.016

[7] O. A. Zambrano, J. J. Coronado, S. A. Rodriguez, Failure analysis of a bridge crane shaft, Case Studies in Engineering Failure Analysis 2 (2014) 25–32.

DOI: 10.1016/j.csefa.2013.12.002

[8] Z. Yu, X. Xu, Failure analysis on connection components of turbo-disk and main-shaft used in a locomotive turbocharger, Engineering Failure Analysis 16 (2009) 899–908.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2008.08.010

[9] P. Zhao, G. Gao, R. D. K. Misra, B. Bai, Effect of microstructure on the very high cycle fatigue behavior of a bainite/martensite multiphase steel, Materials Science and Engineering A 630 (2015) 1–7.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2015.02.015

[10] L. Xu, D. Wei, Y. Yu, H. Zhang, B. Bai, Effect of microstructure on corrosion fatigue behavior of 1500 MPa level carbide-free bainite/martensite dual-phase strength steel, Journal of Iron and Steel Research, International 18(4) (2011) 63-67.

DOI: 10.1016/s1006-706x(11)60052-6

[11] G. Zyl, A. Al-Sahli, Case study Failure analysis of conveyor pulley shaft, Case Studies in Engineering Failure Analysis 1 (2013) 144–155.

DOI: 10.1016/j.csefa.2013.04.011

[12] M. Ristivojevic, R. Mitrovic, T. Lazovic, Investigation of causes of fan shaft failure, Engineering Failure Analysis 17 (2010) 1188–1194.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2010.02.004