Torsion of Rear Half-Shaft on SAE Formula Car
in the Materials Testing Laboratory at Missouri S&T
Formula SAE Team

Click on image to enlarge.
  • 4130 chrome-moly steel tube welded to 4130 or 4340 ends
  • normalized
  • yielding occurred in the ends
  • excessive plastic deformation, no fracture

Photos by Jeff Thomas, October 19, 2000.

 
  • 4130 chrome-moly steel tube welded to 4130 or 4340 ends
  • wall thickness = 0.065"
  • heat treated
  • yielding occurred in the ends
  • minimal plastic deformation before fracture

Photos by Jeff Thomas, November 10, 2000.

 
  • 4130 chrome-moly steel tube welded to 4130 or 4340 ends
  • wall thickness = 0.035"
  • heat treated
  • tube buckled

Photos by Jeff Thomas, November 10, 2000.