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@article{193618,
        author = {Karthik L and R Rajashekar},
        title = {Analysis of behaviour of CFRP Composite leaf spring used in Automotive for its durability},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {709-716},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=193618},
        abstract = {The increasing demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles has accelerated the adoption of composite materials in automotive structural components. Leaf springs, which function as primary load-bearing members in suspension systems, significantly influence vehicle weight, ride comfort, and durability. This study presents the design, analytical evaluation, experimental validation, and finite element investigation of a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer single leaf spring for automotive suspension applications. The objective of the work is to analyse the structural behaviour, stiffness characteristics, stress distribution, and fatigue performance of the composite leaf spring under transient loading conditions. A CFRP leaf spring with dimensions of 500 mm length, 60 mm width, and 12 mm thickness was considered for the study. Both 0° and 45° fiber orientations were evaluated to understand the influence of fiber alignment on mechanical performance.
Analytical calculations were performed to determine the Stress, deflection, and stiffness, and the results were compared with Finite Element Analysis outcomes obtained from transient structural simulations under a 2000 N load. The Finite Element Analysis results revealed that the 45° fiber orientation exhibited lower total deformation 22.17 mm compared to the 0° orientation 28.02 mm, indicating improved stiffness. However, the 45° configuration showed higher maximum principal and equivalent stresses.
Experimental fatigue testing was conducted to evaluate durability using S–N curve analysis. The fatigue results demonstrated a clear inverse relationship between stress amplitude and fatigue life, confirming logarithmic fatigue behavior. The study validates that CFRP leaf springs provide significant weight reduction, high stiffness-to-weight ratio, and excellent fatigue resistance when operated within safe stress limits. Overall, the findings confirm that CFRP composite leaf springs are highly suitable for lightweight automotive suspension systems with enhanced durability and structural performance.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {March},
        }