Abstract



Almost all automobiles (at least those which correspond to design with rear wheel drive and front engine installation) have transmission shafts. The weight reduction of the drive shaft can have a certain role in the general weight reduction of the vehicle and is a highly desirable goal, if it can be achieved without increase in cost and decrease in quality and reliability. It is possible to achieve design of composite drive shaft with less weight to increase the first natural frequency of the shaft and to decrease the bending stresses using various stacking sequences. By doing the same, maximize the torque transmission and torsional buckling capabilities are also maximized. This work deals with the replacement of a conventional steel drive shaft with High Strength Carbon drive shafts for an automobile application.