Fatigue Analysis of Steering Knuckles Using the Local Strain Approach

The study investigates the mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of steering knuckles used on commercial vehicles. The steering knuckle is made of hot forged bainitic steel (18MnCrMoV6-4-8), which is known to demonstrate high levels of fatigue strength, toughness, and hardness. The local strain concept was adopted to assess the durability of the steering knuckle based on the stabilized cyclic material behavior. For this purpose, experimental investigations have been conducted on both the steering knuckle as well as fatigue specimens under constant and variable amplitude loadings. The fatigue specimens were removed from the area next to the crack initiation location, to represent the microstructure in the critical area of the component. Fatigue life estimations were performed under different load ratios using the FKM guideline nonlinear, employing damage parameters PRAM and PRAJ. The assessment enables a fatigue strength assessment for the steering knuckle by considering the local non-linear material behavior. The estimations of the material's fatigue lifetime using the FKM guideline nonlinear approach were unsatisfactory.