Rear Axle Failure Analysis of the Dump Truck
Keywords:
rear axle, AISI 4140, failure analysis, fatigue.Abstract
The dump truck rear axle has failed while operating. The shaft transmits torque from the differential gear to the rear wheels through a planetary gear arrangement. Axle parts that fail to be investigated to determine the cause of failure. Field scanning is done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hardness profile along the cross section is evaluated by measurement of micro hardness. Chemical analysis shows that the shaft is made of american iron steel institude (AISI) 4140 steel. The shaft carbon content is 0.52%, higher than AISI 4140 standard where the maximum carbon content is 0.45%. Manganese (Mn), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si), and chromium (Cr) content have met standards. Microstructure analysis and profile hardness testing revealed that the edge profile was more fragile, different from the more resilient core. This phenomenon is related to the discovery of microstructure on the edge of the profile found in a martensitic structure which reveals that the manufacturing of the shaft undergoes a surface hardening process to harden the shaft surface. The analysis shows that the fracture starts from the edge of the profile where there is a fragile martensitic structure due to improper heat treatment (high hardness).
References
. H. Bayrakceken, S. Tasgetiren, I. Yavuz., 2006,”Two case of failure in the power transmission system on vehicles: A universal joined yoke and a drive shaft”, Engineering Failure Analysis, volume 14 (2007), pp. 716-724.
. N. Parida, S. Tarafder, S.K. Das, P. Kumar, G. Das, V.R. Ranganath, D.K. Bhattacharya., 2002,” Failure analysis of coal pulverizer mill shaft”, Engineering Failure Analysis, volume 10 (2003), pp. 733-744.
. Callister, W, D., and Rethwisch, D, G., Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering: Applicationa and Processing of Metal Alloys, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2008.
. A.Terrin, C. Dengo, G. Meneghetti., 2017,”Experimental analysis of contact fatigue damage in case hardened gears for off-highway axles”, Engineering Failure Analysis, EFA-03032; No of Pages 17.
. William C Leslie, The Physical Metallurgy of Steels, New York : Mc Graw Hill, 1981.
. Wulpi DJ.Understanding how components fail.2nded.Materials Park(OH): ASM International; 2000.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who submit papers with this journal agree to the following terms.