Study The Effect on Modulus of Rigidity on Composite Drive Shaft

Substituting composite structures for conventional metallic structures has many advantages because of higher specific stiffness and higher specific strength of composite materials. In this work, a Mild Steel drive shaft was developed with a new manufacturing method, in which a Glass fiber epoxy composite layer was applied on the outer surface of a Mild Steel rod. This results in the improvement in the rod’s strength as well as reduction in its weight thus making the rod vibration less. For applying the composite material on the outer surface of the Mild Steel Rod. First of all we prepared a part drawing of rod. We marked up the dimensions on the MS [mild steel] rod as per our requirements. Job was hold in chuck of engine lathe to start machining on it. 1 mm material was removed from rod by using turning operation. Layer of the composite material was applied on the drive shaft [MS rod]. Layer of epoxy was applied on it to properly add the glass fiber layer. For testing purpose the first rod is used without applying any composite material. Then on second rod 2 layers of composite material were applied. On third rod 4 layers of composite material were applied. On fourth rod 6 layers of composite material were applied. This composite drive shaft is to be placed in sun light to let it dry. After the material on the shaft dried. The composite drive shaft is ready for torsion test.