The Bar Steel Fatigue Database (BSFD) is one of a few sources where automakers and suppliers can find information on bar steel fatigue data.
The BSFD provides critical grades and heat treatment combinations for safety critical components of vehicles. This data has been acquired using a sophisticated strain-controlled method, providing more accurate and detailed component fatigue life predictions than the rudimentary stress-life method.
The BSFD was developed using the same strain-controlled methods to provide engineers with the tools to optimize critical powertrain and chassis component designs. The database was developed under the guidance of representatives from the steel and ground vehicle industries.
The total publically available grade/process combinations are now at 134 iterations.
"We work with our end-use customers to determine the material and heat treatment combinations," said David Anderson, senior director, long products program for the Steel Market Development Institute. "By providing optimal predictability for parts, designers and engineers can design better parts, resulting in long term reliability and durability for a vehicle."
Engineers are prime targets for performance improvement and boosting efficiency through the use of steel connecting rods, crankshafts and valves. Steel offers steering systems durable and reliable performance at a low cost, making steel the preferred material for rack and pinion systems. In transmission systems, steel allows designers to concentrate on reducing package size and mass, while improving power density and/or torque output.
The BSFD is for use by members of the Long Products Market Development Group (LPMDG) and design engineers in the ground vehicle industry.
The LPMDG announced the BSFD’s fifth update March 13, 2015. The new data will be immediately available to members and will open up for the general public in 2017.