Audi plans to introduce new, lightweight suspension springs made of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) in an upper mid-size model before the end of the year, reinforcing its leading role in automotive lightweight construction.
The GFRP spring, which Audi developed in collaboration with an Italian supplier, even looks different than a steel spring. It is light green, the fiber strand is thicker than the wire of a steel spring, and it has a slightly larger overall diameter with a lower number of coils.
Most importantly, however, it is some 40 per cent lighter. Whereas a steel spring for an upper mid-size model weighs nearly 2.7 kg, a GFRP spring with the same properties weighs approximately 1.6 kg. Together the four GFRP springs thus reduce the weight by roughly 4.4 kg, half of which pertains to the unsprung mass.
“The GFRP springs save weight at a crucial location in the chassis system. We are therefore making driving more precise and enhancing vibrational comfort,” said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi.
The core of the springs consists of long glass fibres twisted together and impregnated with epoxy resin. A machine wraps additional fibers around this core — which is only a few millimetres in diameter — at alternating angles of plus and minus 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis.
These tension and compression plies mutually support one another to optimally absorb the stresses acting on the component. In the last production step, the blank is cured in an oven at temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius, the company said.
The GFRP springs can be precisely tuned to their respective task, and the material exhibits outstanding properties. It does not corrode, even after stone chipping, and is impervious to chemicals such as wheel cleaners. Last but not least, production requires far less energy than the production of steel springs, it said.
Source: Opel
GMT 00:13 2017 Thursday ,28 December
RTA starts trial run of region’s first hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicleGMT 12:18 2017 Saturday ,18 November
Brainstorming event in UAE to develop future of smart vehiclesGMT 17:19 2017 Monday ,08 May
China eyes 1m electric, hybrid cars in 2018GMT 19:21 2017 Tuesday ,02 May
Infiniti Q60 Coupe: Born to performGMT 05:26 2017 Friday ,24 March
China's Geely opens UK plant for electric London taxisGMT 07:44 2017 Friday ,10 March
Japan’s drone sector flying highGMT 07:39 2017 Friday ,10 March
Dubai to launch driverless flying cars by this summerGMT 00:19 2017 Saturday ,04 March
Montblanc reimagines wearable technologyMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor