International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology IJORAT

Vol 1, Issue 9, NOVEMBER 2016

ANALYSING STATIC STRUCTURAL

BEHAVIOUR OF CLUTCH FACING USING
ANSYS
G. Vairamani 1, M. Ayyanar raja 2, M.Rajasekaran 3
Assistant Professor,Department Of Mechanical Engineering,Francis Xavier Engineering College,Tirunelveli,India 1
Assistant Professor,Department Of Mechanical Engineering,Francis Xavier Engineering College,Tirunelveli,India2
Assistant Professor,Department Of Mechanical Engineering,Francis Xavier Engineering College,Tirunelveli,India3
Abstract- The primary objective of this paper is to do static structural analysis of clutch facing component. Clutch
facing used in Tata Indica car has been taken into consideration. The specifications of the clutch facing used in Tata
Indica car are identified, design calculations of clutch facing are performed, and modeling of clutch facing are done
using Pro-E and static structural analysis are carried out using ANSYS bench work.
Key words: Clutch facing, Structural Analysis, Pro-E, and ANSYS

I. INTRODUCTION
A Clutch is a machine member used to connect the
driving shaft to a driven shaft, so that the driven shaft may be
started or stopped at will, without stopping the driving shaft.
A clutch thus provides an interruptible connection between
two rotating shafts. (1)A clutch mainly consists of two parts,
i.e. friction plates and separator plates. These plates engage
and disengage to transmit speed and torque. The transmitted
torque is proportional to the overall friction coefficient of
the clutch plates. The structural behavior of clutch plates is
critical for overall performance of the transmission and it
depends on the normal pressure, the lubrication, the
temperature and the surface topography of the clutch
plates.(2)Clutch facing or clutch linings are a type of friction
material, similar to brake linings. They have a much
different function, however; a clutch is used to transfer the
motion of one mechanical component to another by keeping
two surfaces in contact. The clutch facing or lining is what
prevents these two surfaces from slipping. (4)It is the
friction pads or facings which actually transmit the power
from the flywheel to hub in the clutch plate and from there to
the output shaft. There are grooves in both sides of the
friction-disc facings. These grooves prevent the facings
from sticking to the flywheel face and pressure plate when
the clutch is disengaged. The grooves break any vacuum
that might form and cause the facings to stick to the flywheel
or pressure plate. The facings on many friction discs are
made of cotton woven or moulded together and impregnated
with resins or other binding agents. In many friction discs,
copper wires are woven or pressed into the facings to give
them added strength. Some friction discs have
ceramic-metallic facings. Such discs are widely used in
multiple plate clutches. The minimize the wear problems, all
the plates will be enclosed in a covered chamber and
immersed in an oil medium such clutches are called wet
clutches(11)

Fig 1.1: Single Plate Dry Clutch

Fig. 1.2: Clutch Facing

II. METHODOLOGY
Design work in this paper involves the calculation of
torque transmitted, total operating force on contact surface
of the clutch facing, average pressure acting on contact
surface , minimum pressure acting on contact surface and
maximum pressure acting on the contact surface. Modelling
work involves three dimensional modelling of clutch facing
component using Pro-E. Analyzing work involves static
structural analysis of clutch facing component using Ansys.

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International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology IJORAT

Vol 1, Issue 9, NOVEMBER 2016

III. MODELLING
Modelling of clutch facing is done by pro-E. The
procedure of modelling is given below:
1. Part DesignExtrudecirclesymmetric
2. HoleRevolvegeometrical control half section
Revolve Remove material
3. HoleAxis Pattern14 Holes
4. ExtrudeSlotpatternaxis14 slot
5. Extrude Remove material1 of 4 remaining
6. File save copy save type STEP-(*.STP)

10. Solution Stress Equivalent Stress

11. Solution Strain Equivalent Strain

Fig. 4.1: Meshing

The one fourth model of clutch facing which is

imported into Ansys bench work.Then assignment of
material is done to the selected model. Symmetry and cyclic
region are applied to the geometry. Meshing is done with
element size of 0.5 m, minimum edge length of 1.0 mm,
Number of nodes 320617, number of elements 196042.
Fig. 3.1: Modelling of Clutch facing (Front face)

Fig.4.2: Arresting

3.2: Drafted View of Clutch Facing

The fixed support is given at inner circumferential

radius which is generally riveted to the assembly

IV. ANALYSING
Static Structural Analysis of clutch facing is done by
ANSYS Work Bench. The procedure of Analysing is given
below:
1. Static Structural Engineering Data material
properties
2. Geometry Import geometry
3. Model Geometry component selection
Assignment of material
4. Geometry inserts symmetry cyclic region
geometry Apply
5. Meshing settings for fine mesh right mesh
generate mesh
6. Static Structural Analysis settings Fixed support
geometry selection apply
7. Analysis settings loads pressure define face
apply
8. Solution right click solve
9. Solution Deformation Total Deformation
All Rights Reserved 2016 IJORAT

Fig.4.3: Applying pressure 1

The pressure is applied on the front face of the

clutch facing. The contact surface of clutch facing subjected
to pressure when it has contact with clutch plate

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International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology IJORAT

Vol 1, Issue 9, NOVEMBER 2016
6. Johannes Bernhardt, Albert Albers, Sascha Ott (2012),
Advanced ceramics as friction material in lubricated
clutch systems, Elsevier-Tribology Vol. 59, pp.267-272
7. Khamlichi, A., Bezzazi (2008), Optimizing friction
behavior of clutch facings using pinon- disk
test,
ResearchGate-Physical Sciences Vol. 3, pp.065-070
8. Khurmi R.S. & J.K. Gupta, A Text Book of Machine
Design, pp.885-899
9. Mamta G.Pawar,MonarchK.Warambhe, (2013) Design
and Analysis of Clutch Using Sintered Iron as a Friction
material, IJITEE-innovative Technology Vol. 3,
pp.2278-3075
10. Naga Karna P., Tippa Bhimasankara Rao (2013),
Analysis of Friction Clutch plate using FEA,
IJERD-Research and Development Vol. 6, pp.81-87
11. Taimin Gong, Pingping Yao (2015), Wear map for a
copper-based friction clutch material under oil
lubrication, Elsevier-Wear Vol. 328, pp.270-276

Fig.4.4: Equivalent Stress for Maximum pressure

Equivalent Stress is found minimum 0.11 MPa at

outer circumference since there is a large radius from centre.
Equivalent Stress is found maximum 49.40 MPa at inner
corner of the groove since there is a sharp corner at the
groove
Table 4.1: Summary of Analyzing
Total
Deformation
(mm)
Max

Equivalent
Stress

S.No
.
1

Pressure
(MPa)
0.476

Min
0

0.0633

0.07

32.12

(No unit)
Min
Max
(10-6)
(10-4)
0.9
4.1

0.58

0.0771

0.08

39.14

1.2

4.9

0.732

0.097

0.11

49.4

1.5

6.3

Min

(MPa)
Max

Equivalent
Strain

V. CONCLUSION
The values of deformation ranging from 0 to 0.097 mm,
hence it is concluded that the design is safe with respect to
deformation.The values of Equivalent stress ranging from
0.07 to 49.4 MPa hence it is concluded that the design is
safe with respect to stress.
REFERENCES
1. Aravind Vadiraj. (2010), Engagement characteristics of
a friction pad for commercial vehicle clutch system,
Indian Academy Of sciences- sadhana, Vol. 35, Part 5,
pp.585-595.
2. Bezzazi M,
Khamlichi. A. (2006), Experimental
characterization of frictional behaviour of clutch facings
using Pin-on-disk machine, Elsevier-Materials and
Design, Vol. 28, pp.2148-2153.
3. Chaikittiratana A, Koetniyom S, Lakkam S. (2012),
Static/kinetic Friction behaviour of a Clutch Facing
Material: Effects of Temperature and Pressure, World
Academy of Sciences-Engineering and Technology,
Vol. 6, pp.06-28
4. Gouse seema begum (2015), Design and Analysis of
Friction Clutch Plate using Ansys, IJAERS-Research
and science Vol. 2, pp.2349-6495
5. Ingram M., H.Spikes, J.Noles, R.Watts (2009), Contact
properties of a wet clutch friction material,
Elsevier-Tribology Vol. 43, pp.815-821

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