In order to ensure the safety life of automotive forged parts, it is necessary to understand and predict the service life. There are several common methods for predicting the service life, including experimental method, empirical method, strength calculation method, and damage mechanics method. Among them, the experimental method is the most widely used. In this method, the remaining life of the forged part is evaluated based on the degree of damage after testing a pre-used part.
Taking a certain engine connecting rod forging as an example, the experimental method is used to predict its life. The pre-used engine connecting rod forging is cut and analyzed, then observed under a microscope to look at its damaged surface, and combined with various data such as laboratory metallographic analysis and probing inspection to analyze the damages. It was found that there are tiny crack and significant plastic deformations in the forging, which are important factors affecting the service life of the part.
Based on the experimental results and data analysis, using the remaining life model, the stress damage process of the forging structure is simulated under different working conditions and loads, and the service life of the part is further predicted. Finally, the service life of this engine forging part is determined by calculating the running time.
It should be noted that the prediction method described in this article is only one of the methods, and different vehicle components have different prediction methods. In practical production applications, multiple methods should be used in combination to ensure the safety use of automotive forged parts.
