EFFECT OF RESIDUAL STRESS BY SHOT PEENING ON FATIGUE STRENGTH OF LCV LEAF SPRING

Spring is one of major suspension part of the light commercial vehicle (LCV). In the manufacturing process it is shot-peened to improve its fatigue strength. In this paper, residual stresses by shot peening were calculated through finite element analysis, and the effects of these residual stresses on fatigue strength of leaf spring were evaluated. Fatigue tests were performed with two kinds of specimens; one is actual leaf spring assembly, and the other is simulated 3-point bending specimen. Fatigue tests were performed under the loading condition that was measured on the proving ground. From the results, the maximum load-fatigue life relation of leaf spring was defined, and test results of 3 point bending specimen are in good agreement with those of leaf spring assembly. The effects of residual stresses by shot peening on fatigue strength of leaf spring is not large in the high load range, however, in the low load range, its effects were not negligible.