Structural Analysis of McPherson Suspension Arm Repair Using FCAW Welding Process: Tensile Testing Strength Evaluation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71068/gsdvbt79Keywords:
FCAW welding, tensile test, McPherson suspension arm, ASTM A36 structural steel, mechanical integrityAbstract
In the present study, the mechanical behavior of repairs applied to McPherson type suspension arms was evaluated, by means of the flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) process. The main objective was to analyze the influence of the welding process on the mechanical properties of the component and to determine the feasibility of this type of repairs in structural elements of the vehicle suspension system. The methodology began with the extraction of samples of the original component, which were subjected to chemical analysis at the National Polytechnic School to identify their composition and select an equivalent material available in the market, determining the compatibility with an ASTM A36 structural steel. From this material, test plates were made and specimens were subsequently prepared according to ASTM E8/E8M standards for tensile tests of metallic materials, both base material and joints welded by FCAW, following established technical criteria. The bending and tensile tests were carried out in the laboratories of the National Polytechnic School, applying different amperage values and keeping certain process variables constant, in order to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the specimens. The results showed a ductile behavior in all the samples tested, observing that the fracture occurred in the base material and not in the welded area. Finally, it was concluded that, under controlled conditions and with adequate welding parameters, the FCAW process allows obtaining repairs with mechanical properties comparable to those of the original material, which supports its technical application in critical components such as the suspension arm.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Alex Stalin Nuñez Moscoso, Jonathan Lenin Quimbita Panchi, Charly Sebastián Simbaña Zapata, Juan Pablo Maila González (Autor/a)
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