Premature fracture in automobile leaf springs

In this work, the origin of premature fracture in leaf springs, used in Venezuelan buses, is studied. To this end, common failure analysis procedures, including examining the leaf spring history, visual inspection of fractured specimens, characterization of various properties and simulation tests on real components, were used. It is concluded that fracture occurred by a mechanism of mechanical fatigue, initiated at the region of the central hole, which suffered the highest tensile stress levels. Several factors (poor design, low quality material and defected fabrication) have combined to facilitate failure. Preventive measures to lengthen the service life of leaf springs are suggested.