This paper presents a comprehensive study of the fatigue and failure behavior of both homogeneous and metallic-reinforced compliant segments. Baseline test results are presented for a homogeneous, fixed-free compliant segment constructed of thermoset urethane. The advantages of both polymeric and metallic materials for compliant mechanism construction are leveraged by designing and testing compliant test specimens containing a polymer casing and a metallic reinforcing element. Results obtained from fatigue testing of fixed-free compliant segments in a cyclic loading configuration show that the metallic-reinforced compliant specimens offer superior fatigue performance when compared to the homogeneous baseline specimens. Fractography, both macroscopic and microscopic, is used for a qualitative assessment of the failure behavior. This vein of research is undertaken using metallic reinforcement (inserts) toward the development of a new class of compliant mechanisms with significantly greater performance, particularly insofar as the problems of fatigue and creep are concerned.
- Design,
- Failure (mechanical),
- Fatigue of materials,
- Fatigue testing,
- Fracture mechanics,
- Mechanisms,
- Metals,
- Polymers,
- Reinforcement,
- Safety engineering,
- Failure behaviors,
- Fatigue performance,
- Loading configuration,
- Macroscopic and microscopic,
- Metallic material,
- Metallic reinforcements,
- Qualitative assessments,
- Reinforcing elements,
- Compliant mechanisms
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lokeswarappa-dharani/66/