Production of Tensioner Pulley from Nylon-Glass Fiber Composites

Abstract

This paper shows the feasibility of replacing the SPCC steel with glass fiber reinforced Nylon composites for the manufacturing of tensioner pulley. Three series of Nylon (Nylon 66, Nylon 46 and Nylon 46 with PTFE) reinforced with 30wt% of glass fiber were investigated. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was carried out to simulate the stress distribution and to predict the maximum stress located on the pulley component. It was found that all Nylon composites had higher tensile modulus than SPCC steel, while the SPCC steel exhibited higher tensile strength. FEA demonstrated that the maximum stress on Nylon composite pulley was lower than the SPCC steel pulley, however these stresses were higher than yield stress of materials. The addition of supporting rib can reduce the stress concentration to lower the yield stress of materials. Finally the performance of Nylon composite pulley was considered. Pulley with plain-surface bearing was meet the criteria for endurance test, however, the interfacial adhesion between bearing and Nylon composite pulley can be improved by glued and gouged surface. According to the experimental results, glass fiber reinforced Nylon composites can be the representative materials of replacing SPCC steel for tensioner pulley.