LEAF SPRING

Introduction:
A leaf spring is a simple type of suspension

spring commonly used in heavy duty vehicles.

The advantages of leaf spring over helical

spring is that the ends of the spring be guided

along a definite path as it deflects to act as a
structural member in addition to energy
absorbing device.

Types:
Double eye
Slipper-open eye end
Slipper-hook end
Slipper-flat end
Slipper-radius end

Construction of leaf spring:

Leaf springs used in automobiles is of Semi-

Elliptical in form.
It is built up of number of plates(known as
leaf) , which are of reducing lengths.
The longest leaf is called main leaf or Master
leaf, And the other leaves are called as
graduated leaves.
The spring is clamped to the axle by means of
U-bolts.
Rebound clips are used to hold the leaves
together.
Central clamp is used to fix the position of leaf

Construction of leaf spring:

Parts of leaf springs:

Manufacturing process:
The different types of manufacturing process
involved are:
Shearing of flat bar
Center punching
End Heating process forming (hot & cold
process)
Heat treatment
Surface preparation
Eye bush preparation process
Assembly

Standard sizes of leaf spring :

Width (mm) : 25-80 mm in steps of 5mm

Thickness (mm) : 2-8 mm in steps of 1mm,

10-16 mm in steps of 2mm

Material Used for Leaf Spring :

The materials used for leaf springs is usually a

plain carbon steel having 0.90 to 1.0% carbon.

According to Indian Standards the
Recommended Materials are:

For Automobiles : 50 Cr 1 , 50 Cr 1 V 23 ,
55 Si 2 Mn 90 , used in Hardened
and Tempered state.

For Rail Road Springs : C 55(waterHardened ,

C 75-Oil hardened) , 40 SI 2 Mn
90 (Water Hardened) and 55 Si 2 Mn 90 (Oil
hardened)

Leaf Spring Design:

Bending Stress in each plate of the leaf

spring:
B= 6WL/(nbt 2)
Deflection of the plate:
=4WL 3/(nEbt 3)

Composite carbon fibre leaf

spring:
Now-a-days industries are trying to reduce
the weight and increase the strength of leaf
spring for efficient suspension.
ARC Composite carbon fiber is the best
material suitable for the above required
criteria.
This material has less weight and high
strength when compared to the materials
using in the leaf springs using in nowadays
leaf springs.

Advantages of ARC Composite

carbon fibre leaf spring suspension:
1) Specifically made to give effects like Air Suspension with out
any extra external energy(Fuel)
2) No permanent deformation hence no re-cambering, thus no
maintenance.
3) Minimum wear and tear of body parts and tyre due to delicate
tendency of absorbing road shocks, jerks and vibrations.
4) Softer ride, Lower noise level, excellent stability due to better
damping characteristics.
5) Excellent corrosion resistance against atmospheric pollutants.
6) Five times stronger than conventional metal leaf springs.

7) Fully interchangeable with the

conventional spring without any modifications.
8)Increase in fuel efficiency due to better
aerodynamics and around 60% weight
reduction.
9) No cracking sound since mono leaf and
hence no inter-leaf friction and no greasing
required.
10) Fatigue life 1 million cycles as compared
to only 2 lacks for the metal leaf springs.

THANK YOU