Tests on prototype suspension components were carried out at TWI as the second part of a project related to one of Nissan's models.
Concentric Pressed Products supplied Nissan UK with different types of engine mounting brackets. Having previously carried out a series of mechanical tests on prototype components for the petrol version of the new Nissan model, TWI was asked to perform similar tests on prototype components for newly designed manual and automatic diesel versions.
The tests were carried out in one of the Structural Integrity Technology Group's research laboratories. The first task was to design and manufacture the jigs and fixtures needed to load the three different specimens.
The tests covered static strength, durability (fatigue behaviour) and bolt loosening. In addition, bolts with special instrumentation had to be produced and calibrated at TWI.
A total of 87 tests was conducted on 84 specimens. In static tests, the method of hysteresis loading adopted in previous tests on the petrol version components for detecting their yield strengths proved highly successful.
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