Stress Relaxation Constitutive Relations and Finite Element Analysis of T9A Helical Compression Spring

Abstract

In order to reveal the variation trend of stress in T9A complex helical structure during long period of service, the stress relaxation of T9A helical compression spring was investigated via experiment and finite element analysis. The stress relaxation experiments of the T9A helical compression spring were carried out for up to 30 h at 90°C, 110°C, 130°C and 150°C, and a modified constitutive relation was established on the basis of the experimental data. As a result, it proves that the model is effective to predict the whole relaxation process. Meanwhile, the finite element analysis of the helical structure spring was carried out. It is found that the steel wire in the spring is relaxed from outside to inside in the process of relaxation.

In order to reveal the variation trend of stress in complex helical structure during long period of service, Lee’s equation was modified to describe the stress change in stress relaxation process.