A Study on the Development of High Torque Composite Propeller Shaft

고토크 복합재 프로펠러 샤프트 개발에 관한 연구

The goal of this study is to replace the current forward 2-piece propeller shaft of 8 ton large truck made of steel with 1-piece composite propeller shaft. A low cost Glass/Epoxy composite propeller shafts were successfully developed, which satisfy requirements such as the capacity of static torque transfer, fatigue strength and bending natural frequency. Devising secure joining method of a composite tube and metal yoke was the most critical issue in successful development of a high torque composite propeller shaft. In this study, joining method using thermal interference fit was adopted for composite to metal joint. Optimum conditions of heating temperature and interference level of thermal interference fit were determined from thermal stress analysis using 3D finite element method. Static torsion test, fatigue test, RPM and balance test were performed to verify the design.