Suspension Springs: Absorbing Forces & Preventing Oscillations - Essay Sample

Introduction

Suspension springs serve as vital links connecting the entire body of a vehicle to the wheels. They are also present in other types of locomotives and mechanical parts in numerous machines. The primary purpose of the suspension springs is to absorb excessive shocks emanating from uneven distribution of forces caused by either bumpy surfaces on the road or disproportionate load on the vehicle (Lechner, Marcel and Gerhard 65). They, therefore, prevent the car from constant oscillations resulting from shockwaves.

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Numerous factors are essential in determining optimal operating conditions for suspension springs. Some of the factors include relatively lower temperature, availability of lubrication to reduce friction and optimal loading as determined by the manufacturer. The low temperatures and friction reduce the chances of melting which would lead to breakage or sagging. However, suspension springs found in moving parts of massive power-generating turbines have specific designs favoring the extreme temperatures, impact and loading on these springs.

The Major Properties and Characteristics of Suspension Spring for Proper Functioning

The significant properties for making suspension springs include high tensile strength, high elasticity and elastic limit, large deflections as well as the low modulus. Desirable characteristics for the proper functioning of suspensions springs include strength, ability to withstand relatively high temperature, excellent corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. Depending on the operating conditions for the suspension springs, one or more of these properties and characteristics will be useful.

Best Material for Making Suspension Spring

The operating conditions and desired results, for example, high temperatures, the size of loads, durability, and desired level of deflection or elongation, among others, are the factors that determine the type of materials to use when manufacturing suspension springs. For heavy loads, high temperatures and durable operations, hardened steel is the most appropriate material for making suspension springs (Fuchigami 20). Other materials such as bronze, titanium and some types of plastic possess resilience, deflections, and extensive elastic characteristics and are useful when making suspension springs for lower loads and temperatures. They are also less durable.

The Best Fabrication Process for Suspension Spring

There are primarily two fabrication processes for springs, cold winding, and hot winding. Cold winding involves the creation of winds in the spring by coiling the wire for the spring into the desired shape when in average or room temperature. Hot winding refers to fabricating the spring to the desired shape when the material is extremely hot or at elevated temperatures. Hot winding is the most desirable fabrication process for suspension springs. Suspension springs, in most cases, form from thick hardened steel bars. Attempting to fabricate such steels in a cold state introduces internal fractures and may break in the process. Resulting suspension springs from such a process have lower store energies in the coils. The hot forming and fabrication process for the suspension springs occurs at a temperature of about 920-830C depending on factors such as the thickness of the spring as well as the material.

Heat Treatment in Production of Suspension Spring

Heat treatment is essential after the fabrication of the suspension springs. The fabrication process introduces stress sections in the materials. It may also, in extreme cases, present some internal fractures which may lead to breakage. Heat treatment is, therefore essential to relieving the introduced internal stress in the material. It also creates an opportunity for the suspension spring to regain and maintain its initial resilient characteristics. Heat treatment involves burning the suspension spring at an elevated temperature in an oven.

The desirable heat treatment process for the suspension spring is annealing. It is the heat treatment process that involves alternate heating and cooling of the spring to regain its resilient characteristics and expel introduced internal stress. For the hardened steel, annealing process occurs at a temperature of about 640-680C (Hatsuta, Daichi, and Masayuki 150). However, the primary heat treatment process can also involve relatively slow heating of the suspension spring at an elevated temperature of about 830-860C (Hatsuta, Daichi and Masayuki 150). The heat treatment occurs in normal or neutral atmospheric conditions. The heating is followed by oil-quenching the spring to about 42-48 HRC, which is then followed by a tempered heating process at a temperature of about 430-500C (Hatsuta, Daichi and Masayuki 151).

Surface Treatment and Coating Recommendations for Suspension Spring

Surface treatment for the suspension spring is essential. The springs require treatment with desirable substrates that would make other processes such as coating easier and effective. The primary objective of the surface treatment is to increase the surface energy level of the suspension springs. The increasing surface energy level of the material makes the coating processes easy and the final products are desirable in terms of quality and properties. The coating on the other hand is essential as it increases corrosion resistance for the part, increases electrical properties, among others. The most appropriate form of coating for the suspension spring is the use of zinc or chromium coats. These coats are vital in increasing electrical conductivity in the suspension springs. Mechanical plating is also recommendable especially for the case where the use of the suspension springs will not involve lots of electrical conductivity. The process entails tumbling the suspension springs in metallic powder, accelerant chemicals, fluid such as water, and tiny beads of glass (Lechner, Marcel and Gerhard 65). These powders stick on the surface of the suspension spring providing a rough surface.

Environmental Concerns Relating to Usage of Suspension Spring

Suspension springs are not hazardous to the environment as they are highly renewable and recycled. The springs come from hardened steel, which has the possibility of melting and recasting into new products or components. Suspension springs products are highly effective and reliable. They can serve for a long time without necessary replacements. However, the suspension springs come from the process of steel production which has several harmful effects on the environment. Steel production causes air pollution through excess emission gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, among other toxic gaseous substances. Nevertheless, the process results in water contamination, production of hazardous solid wastes, as well as general land degradation. Therefore, although the products, suspension springs, may not be dangerous, the process of its processing and manufacturing may have adverse environmental effects.

Works Cited

Fuchigami, Hirokuni. "Steel wire for spring and method for manufacturing the same." U.S. Patent No. 10,294,540. 21 May 2019.

Hatsuta, Naoki, Daichi Takemori, and Masayuki Takashiri. "Effect of thermal annealing on the structural and thermoelectric properties of electrodeposited antimony telluride thin films." Journal of Alloys and Compounds 685 (2016): 147-152.

Lechner, Dieter, Marcel Gross, and Gerhard Scharr. "Suspension-spring unit for a vehicle chassis." U.S. Patent No. 10,099,527. 16 Oct. 2018.