The Effects of Surface Treatment on Torsonal Fatigue Failure in Recoil Springs

Author:  R.R.Fujczak, J.A. Kapp, C.J. Nolan
Source:  Tech Report ARCCB-TR-92045, US Army R/D Engr Ctr.
Doc ID:  1992033
Year of Publication:  1992
Abstract:  
Large recoil springs are used in applications that require huge stored energy. These springs are usually made from very high strength materials in very large section sizes for spring applications; wire diameters are on the order of one inch. Since the loading of springs produces a state of stress that is primarily torsion, and furthermore, since the springs must perform for many recoil cycles, the material property that governs the performance of these spring is the torsional fatigue property of the springmaterial, There is little or no available torsion fatigue data for the class of materials used in these springs, which suggests that the springs were designed considering static strength or using empirical approaches. Since there have been some historical fatigue failure prjoblems with recoil springs, a program to measure the torsional fatigue properties of the class of materials used for the recoil springs should be supported.