Carbon Fiber Composites: A Solution for Light Weight Dynamic Components of AFVs

Subodh Kumar Nirala; Sarath Shankar; Dhanalakshmi Sathishkumar; V. Kavivalluvan; P. Sivakumar

doi:10.14429/dsj.67.11541

Subodh Kumar Nirala Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai
Sarath Shankar Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai
Dhanalakshmi Sathishkumar Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai
V. Kavivalluvan Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai
P. Sivakumar Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.67.11541

Keywords: Road wheel, Top roller, Axle arm, Carbon-epoxy composite, Static load test, Non-destructive test

Abstract

Changing circumstances across the world require armored fighting vehicle (AFV) of a country to be more agile, easily manoeuverable and transportable besides other key requirements like firepower and protection. Therefore, the AFV should be as light as possible. The use of conventional materials and techniques do not fulfill the requirement of light weight AFV. The composite materials having high specific modulus, specific strength and directional properties are the alternative substitution for reducing the weight. A customized design approach with proper selection of composite material is essential to make AFV components with required properties at lower weight as compared to the traditional approach. Special properties like resistance to moisture, solvents, UV degradation etc. could be imparted to the composite components by the use of proper additives or fillers. This paper deals with the development of dynamic members like road wheel, top roller and axle arm, whose count is always more in any AFVs, using carbon-epoxy composite material. The details of composite materials used and the manufacturing processes adopted are briefly discussed. The static load test carried out to assess the structural integrity as well as non-destructive tests (NDT) performed to detect the defects are also dealt in detail. Preliminary Finite Element Analysis and Multi-body Dynamic Analysis have also been discussed. These analyses have been done mainly to understand the sustainability and performance of the components developed under the given loading conditions.

Author Biographies

Subodh Kumar Nirala, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai

Mr Subodh Kumar Nirala completed B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering in the year 2009 from IIT Guwahati. He is working as Scientist at Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Chennai. He has been working in the field of Running Gear System (RGS) for tracked armored fighting vehicle and landing gear for unmanned aerial vehicle. At present, he is involved development of RGS components using composite materials.

Sarath Shankar, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai

Mr Sarath Shankar completed his BTech (Mechanical Engineering) from NIT Calicut, in 2009. He is currently working as Scientist ‘C’ at Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Chennai. He was involved in the development of chassis and automotive system of Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Presently, he is involved in the development of components using composite materials for Arjun MBT Mk-II.

Dhanalakshmi Sathishkumar, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai

Ms Dhanalakshmi Sathishkumar has completed MS (Engg.) from IIT Madras, Chennai, in 2006 and presently pursuing PhD. She is Scientist ‘F’ in Advanced Technologies Division at Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Chennai, leading Nano and Composite team. She has contributed in the Design and Development of light weight, high strength materials, nano technology for armoured fighting vehicles. She has published more than 25 technical papers in Conferences and Journals. She is a recipient of Commendation Certificate on National Technology Day Oration-2016.

V. Kavivalluvan, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai

Mr V. Kavivalluvan obtained his MTech (Design Engineering) at Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute University, Chennai, in 2016. He is working as Scientist-‘E’ in at Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Chennai. His area of expertise are design of steel castings, design and development of sonar structures for submarine applications, design and development of running gear systems and hydrogas suspension unit for armoured fighting vehicles and study on terramechanics for off-road vehicle application.

P. Sivakumar, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai

Dr P. Sivakumar has completed his PhD (Machine Design) from IIT, Madras, in 2011. He is a Distinguished Scientist and is currently Director Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Chennai. His research areas include design and development of AFV automatic transmission in the range of 150-1500 hp, combat aircraft transmission, conceptualisation of configuration for main battle tanks both present and future, infantry combat vehicles, armoured repair and recovery vehicles, self-propelled catapult vehicles, carrier command post and unmanned ground vehicles.

Carbon Fiber Composites: A Solution for Light Weight Dynamic Components of AFVs

Abstract

Author Biographies

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