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EPOSIL® for Automotive Suspension Components, Coils Springs and High Pressure Vessels
Abstract:
SARDOU SAS has developed highly stressed composites parts for 35 years. SARDOU SAS and QUALITY INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT invented composite coils springs in 2002. Developing composite coils springs, we have faced a big challenge, how to increase the short life expectancy of this highly stressed structure?
We have identified that the weak point, in composite coils springs, is its epoxy matrix. In fact, during heavy loading, the matrix undergoes micro cracks. Then, during fatigue, micro cracks propagate and merge, transforming the matrix into a fine powder. The composite coil suspension springs, using, classic epoxy, where ruined after only 100,000 cycles in the best cases. The fact to integrate “functionalized silica aggregates”, in the matrix, enable the springs to exceed 1,000,000 cycles, with the same spring design. In addition, the spring stiffness has increased by 6% and the thermal set has reduced by 1.6%. Based on these results we have worked, over 7 years, to develop, refine, and improve the efficiency and to reduce the cost of our technology.