“Durable Hybrid” research project at RWTH Aachen University
There is basically no machine that can work without springs. The leaf spring is one of the oldest types of spring and is used, for example, for the suspension of conveying equipment. Glass-fibre reinforced plastic is an excellent material for manufacturing leaf springs as it allows for very high energy absorption and also has high fatigue strength and corrosion resistance.
The Durable Hybrid research project is investigating how the fatigue strength of GRP leaf springs can be increased even further. For Prause Durotec, who specialise in such springs, this is of course a highly interesting topic. The focus is on hybrid reinforcing textiles that integrate crack-retaining fibres. The crack-retaining fibres are able to stop fatigue fractures and thus increase the service life of the leaf springs.
Researchers from the Institute of Textile Technology, the Institute of Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Construction at RWTH Aachen University are developing the necessary hybrid reinforcement products to document the mechanical properties of the laminates in extensive dynamic tests. This will result in a model which enables the future design of highly stressed components with hybrid reinforcement textiles. In addition to P. J. Prause Durotec GmbH, C. Cramer Weberei GmbH & Co.KG and Krempel GmbH are participating in the project.
