Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a subgroup of the thermoplastic polyethylene characterized by extremely long chains and, as result, in a very tough and resistant material. Due to remarkable specific mechanical properties, its use is gradually being extended to multiple fields of...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Hindawi Limited
2019-01-01
|
Series: | International Journal of Polymer Science |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8317093 |
id |
doaj-0d0e44d8b8394e9facd0732128514bdf |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-0d0e44d8b8394e9facd0732128514bdf2020-11-25T01:07:37ZengHindawi LimitedInternational Journal of Polymer Science1687-94221687-94302019-01-01201910.1155/2019/83170938317093Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar VehicleGiangiacomo Minak0Tommaso M. Brugo1Cristiano Fragassa2Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Forlì, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Forlì, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Forlì, ItalyUltra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a subgroup of the thermoplastic polyethylene characterized by extremely long chains and, as result, in a very tough and resistant material. Due to remarkable specific mechanical properties, its use is gradually being extended to multiple fields of application. This study describes, perhaps for the first time, how the UHMWPE can represent a valid material solution in the design and optimization of suspensions for automotive use, especially in the case of extremely lightweight vehicles, such as solar cars. In particular, in this design study, UHMWPE rods permitted to assure specific kinematic trajectories, functionalities, and overall performance in an exceptionally light suspension systems, developed for an innovative multioccupant solar vehicle. These rods reduced the weight by 88% with respect to the classic design solutions with similar functions, offering, at the same time, high stiffness and accuracy in the movements. An experimental campaign was conducted to evaluate the ratcheting behaviour and other mechanical properties needed for a proper design and use.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8317093 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Giangiacomo Minak Tommaso M. Brugo Cristiano Fragassa |
spellingShingle |
Giangiacomo Minak Tommaso M. Brugo Cristiano Fragassa Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle International Journal of Polymer Science |
author_facet |
Giangiacomo Minak Tommaso M. Brugo Cristiano Fragassa |
author_sort |
Giangiacomo Minak |
title |
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle |
title_short |
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle |
title_full |
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle |
title_fullStr |
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle |
title_full_unstemmed |
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Rods as an Effective Design Solution for the Suspensions of a Cruiser-Class Solar Vehicle |
title_sort |
ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene rods as an effective design solution for the suspensions of a cruiser-class solar vehicle |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
International Journal of Polymer Science |
issn |
1687-9422 1687-9430 |
publishDate |
2019-01-01 |
description |
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a subgroup of the thermoplastic polyethylene characterized by extremely long chains and, as result, in a very tough and resistant material. Due to remarkable specific mechanical properties, its use is gradually being extended to multiple fields of application. This study describes, perhaps for the first time, how the UHMWPE can represent a valid material solution in the design and optimization of suspensions for automotive use, especially in the case of extremely lightweight vehicles, such as solar cars. In particular, in this design study, UHMWPE rods permitted to assure specific kinematic trajectories, functionalities, and overall performance in an exceptionally light suspension systems, developed for an innovative multioccupant solar vehicle. These rods reduced the weight by 88% with respect to the classic design solutions with similar functions, offering, at the same time, high stiffness and accuracy in the movements. An experimental campaign was conducted to evaluate the ratcheting behaviour and other mechanical properties needed for a proper design and use. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8317093 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT giangiacomominak ultrahighmolecularweightpolyethylenerodsasaneffectivedesignsolutionforthesuspensionsofacruiserclasssolarvehicle AT tommasombrugo ultrahighmolecularweightpolyethylenerodsasaneffectivedesignsolutionforthesuspensionsofacruiserclasssolarvehicle AT cristianofragassa ultrahighmolecularweightpolyethylenerodsasaneffectivedesignsolutionforthesuspensionsofacruiserclasssolarvehicle |
_version_ |
1725186414446903296 |