VEHICLE COMPONENT FAILURE INVESTIGATION

The problem of low components break is investigated in general and the type of failure is broadly classified into two types, those due to cumulative damage and those due to catastrophic damage. Cumulative damage is a continuous process of gradual degradation by small packages of energy (such as wear, corrosion or fatigue) on microscopic areas of the material. Catastrophic damage is a discontinuous process with rapid degradation of the material (such as overstressing or overheating) by a large dose of energy to the whole part. The author gives several examples of wear, which can be due to foreign matter or wear debris being interposed between sliding surfaces. Examples are also given of fretting corrosion and fatigue. Unfortunately the damage caused by serious overheating, resulting in a seizure can destroy most of the evidence that could indicate the cause of the original trouble. The failure of a piece of metal from overstressing will show a typical crystaline, fibrous or granular fracture face. The mechanism of failure of a selection of common items is illustrated. These include the corrosion of brake pipes, sparking plugs, steering swivels, track rods and gearbox shafts. Details are given of the type and cause of failures to engine valves, steering and suspension parts and plain bearings. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03091430
• Corporate Authors:

  INSTITUTE OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER ASSESSORS

  STOWE HOUSE, NETHERSTOWE
  LICHFIELD, STAFFORDSHIRE  United Kingdom  WS13 6TJ

  INSTITUTE OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER ASSESSORS

  STOWE HOUSE, NETHERSTOWE
  LICHFIELD, STAFFORDSHIRE  United Kingdom  WS13 6TJ
• Authors:
  • Stubbs, J A
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 4-9
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Inst of Automotive Eng Assessors
  • Volume: 16
  • Publisher: Jour of the Inst of Automotive Eng Assessors, Inc
  • ISSN: 0309-1430

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brakes; Corrosion; Failure; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Geodetic surveying; Loss and damage; Metals; Spark plugs; Steering wheels; Stresses; Vehicle components; Wear
• Uncontrolled Terms: Causes; Overheating
• ITRD Terms: 1354: Components of the vehicle; 5252: Corrosion; 1614: Damage; 5520: Failure; 5579: Fatigue (mater); 5293: Wear
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I94: Vehicle Corrosion; I95: Vehicle Inspection;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00341902
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 22 1981 12:00AM