Review

A Thesis entitled

Fatigue Behavior and Life Predictions of Forged Steel and Powder Metal Connecting Rods
by

Adila Afzal

Submitted as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Ali Fatemi

Graduate School

The University of Toledo May 2004

1

The University of Toledo

College of Engineering

I HERBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY Adila Afzal
ENTITLED Fatigue Behavior and Life Predictions of Forged Steel and Powder Metal Connecting Rods

BE ACCEPTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Thesis Advisor: Dr. A. Fatemi

Recommendation concurred by Committee Dr. Mehdi Pourazady On

Dr. Hongyan Zhang

Final Examination

Dean, College of Engineering

AN ABSTRACT OF

Fatigue Behavior and Life Predictions of Forged Steel and Powder Metal Connecting Rods

Adila Afzal

Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The University of Toledo May 2004

This study investigates and compares fatigue behavior of forged steel and powder metal connecting rods. A literature review on several aspects of connecting rods in the areas of load and stress analysis, durability, manufacturing, economic and cost analysis, and optimization is also provided. The experiments included strain-controlled specimen testing, with specimens obtained from the connecting rods, as well as load-controlled connecting rod bench testing. Monotonic and cyclic deformation behaviors, as well as strain-controlled fatigue properties of the two materials are evaluated and compared.

ii

Specimens from C-70 connecting rods were also tested and results compared with forged steel and powder metal connecting rods. C-70 connecting rod is considered to be an economical alternative to powder metal and conventional steel connecting rods.... [continues]

Read full essay