A review of composite leaf springs for automotive vehicles

Abstract

In the quest to conserve natural resources and economic energy. Weight reduction has been the focus of auto-manufactures and the aerospace industry in the present day. Weight reduction can be archived primarily by introducing better design optimization, better material, and improved manufacturing processes. This approach by introducing composite materials into automobile industries, which has high strength to weight ratio and excellent corrosive resistance, can fulfil the requirement. This review paper investigates the use of composite materials in the design of leaf springs for automotive vehicles. The paper underscores the suitability of composite materials for leaf spring in automobiles and develops a new leaf spring design that optimizes weight reduction and strength. The review provides details regarding previous efforts conducted on the design of leaf springs while outlining the knowledge gap areas. This review commences with an introduction to leaf springs and a brief history of their development. Followed by the properties that make an excellent leaf spring, this helps narrow down the information required for further developments providing avenues for possible future research.