Static and Fatigue Resistance of GRP Materials and Flywheel Disc of a Storage Unit for Environmentally Friendly Urban Vehicles

Abstract

The paper presents results of a partial experimental programme carried out within the project EUREKA E! 2462 TRUS, which aim is to demonstrate a novel form of hybrid electric drive line without the need for overhead lines. The zero emissions public transport vehicle is based on a hybrid electric drive line with novel, strongly innovative features. The concept includes the use of a small on-board energy storage unit (flywheel) to store the energy that would otherwise be lost on braking. Results of an experimental complex programme of an evaluation of static mechanical and fatigue properties of long glass-fibre reinforced polyester composite material with biaxial or multiaxial structures, respectively, to be used for a manufacture of the flywheel hub disc are presented in the paper. It was shown that results of interlaminar shear fatigue strength of the disc mostly almost correspond to those obtained on basic material – biaxial GRP plates and are close to results obtained on a similar uniaxial GRP used for railways springs. Some ascertained differences are discussed.