Impulse tests to determine the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys used to manufacture auto rims

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the improvement of quality rims made of different aluminum alloys for road vehicles. The modulus of elasticity, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio are mechanical parameters that characterize, together with mass and geometrical dimensions, dynamic behavior of auto rims. To reduce the weight of the rims, the steel is replaced with the aluminum and magnesium alloys or composite materials. The natural frequencies and the shape of the natural modes are determined for different aluminum samples, using the Finite Element Method and Modal Analysis in the ANSYS software. The vibroacoustic signal is recorded through a condenser microphone that has a high fidelity in the audible range of 20-20,000 Hz. The vibration responses of the aluminium specimens, in free-free conditions, are carried out using algorithms based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and Prony's series.