Design and analysis of hybrid natural/synthetic fibre-reinforced composite automotive drive shafts

This research study investigates different designs of composite automotive drive shafts made of natural fibres, synthetic fibres, and hybrid natural/synthetic fibres by considering various lamination stacking sequences and fibre orientations. Introducing natural fibres in design of composite automotive drive shafts not only reduces the cost of their fabrication but also can lead to manufacturing environmentally friendly products. The main objective of this study is to consider natural fibres in design process of composite automotive drive shafts to reduce the percentage of synthetic fibres such as carbon, Kevlar, E-glass, etc. Although synthetic fibres especially carbon fibres provide favourable designs meeting the design requirements, they are expensive and non-biodegradable. Hence, in this study, abundantly available and biodegradable natural fibres are considered in design of composite automotive drive shafts to reduce the cost of fabrication as well as decreasing harmful effect of synthetic fibres on the environment. Mathematical formulations are developed to ensure various designs of composite drive shafts can satisfy the design requirements. Various designs of composite drive shafts based on natural fibres, synthetic fibres, and hybrid natural/synthetic fibres are proposed and their efficiency in satisfying the design requirements is investigated and discussed. Finally, an optimum design among various proposed designs satisfying the design requirements is chosen.