SYNCHRONIZER LIFE ENHANCEMENT USING CARBON FIBRE COMPOSITES

Abstract

The synchronizer in a domestic tractor is observed to be having a lifetime of 2-3 efficient years with the current material used for synchronizer being Brass. In this work with discuss about how to enhance the existence time of synchronizer by replacing Brass with Carbon – Carbon composite (C-C) material. The pattern of the carbon fiber chosen is Woven Roving Mat (WRM) which is blended with Epoxy resin with two layers of 0.5 mm thickness as a laminate. The WRM cloth is rolled over by the Epoxy resin with the help of a roller and then both are kept inside the bottom portion of the die arrangement. As design has the central guiding, the die can be inserted easily and straight into the bottom portion and the top portion is pressed inside the bottom portion. The composite friction material die is designed with AISI H13 steel and manufactured. A pressure of 400 kg/cm2 is applied to an area of 7.02 cm2; therefore, a force of 2800 kg is required, hence a 5 Ton hydraulic press is used. The result is observed that the carbon – carbon composite shows enhanced strength and endurance properties than the brass. By the results obtained we infer that brass can be replaced by carbon –carbon composite to increase the lifetime of synchronizer.