Improvement in the design of automobile upper suspension control arms using aluminum alloys

Abstract

Suspension control arms are important parts in a vehicle. Conventionally, these parts were made of steel, a heavy metal. Their geometry was designed by means of traditional engineering methods. Today we try to use the much lighter metal aluminum, to manufacture these parts instead of steel. Fuel consumption and emission of polluting gases are strongly dependent on car weight. So the automotive industry is looking at innovative technological processes making use of light alloys and new design methodologies. Cutting weight by using aluminum parts can help cars and trucks brake quicker, handle better and accelerate faster. Hence, aluminum is the fastest growing material in the automobile industry today. In this work, we present a static, dynamic behavior and road profile study of automobile vs. aluminum mechanical parts (control arms) and stress analysis using advanced methods. © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009.