Material Selection for Centrifugal Clutch Components

This report provides a detailed analysis of material selection for a centrifugal clutch. It recommends ceramic material for the outer lining due to its high friction and resistance to wear and tear. Gray cast iron is suggested for the clutch housing because of its machinability and ability to withstand heat. Steel is proposed for the cutter head, cutter shaft, and engine shaft due to its strength and durability, with galvanized steel suggested to prevent rusting. Finally, stainless steel is recommended for ball bearings to ensure corrosion resistance. The report references key sources such as the Springer Handbook of Mechanical Engineering, Steel Metallurgy, Stainless Steel for Design Engineers, and Ceramics Matrix Composites.

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For the outer lining of the centrifugal clutch shoe, ceramic material would be most appropriate.
The outer lining of the clutch shoe is acts as a brake lining therefore the material should of high
friction and rough. This ensure that the shoe firmly grips the inner surface of the housing hence
avoiding slippage. Also, friction applies high amounts of physical stress on the surfaces in
contact. Ceramics and their composites have a high resistance to corrosion, can withstand high
temperatures, are lightweight and durable (Narottam & Jacques, 2015). This makes them an
ideal material for use as friction lining. Ceramics can also withstand large physical stresses and
heat is dissipated excellently and is less noisy. They are readily available in the market.
For Clutch housing, gray cast iron would be suitable. The clutch housing is exposed to heat when
it comes into contact with the clutch shoe lining. The material that makes the housing should be
hard so as to resist wear and tear. Gray cast iron is cast iron that has graphite. This material is
favorable for use in the clutch house because of its stiffness and good wear resistance as the
graphite acts as a lubricant (Grote & Antonsson, 2009). Gray cast iron is affordable and has good
machinability. Machinability means that it can be cut into shapes without much effort and result
into an acceptable product.
Cutter head, cutter shaft and engine shaft would preferably be made from steel. The whole
apparatus of the centrifugal clutch experiences dynamic forces when the machine is operating.
Steel is a metal that possesses high strength, toughness and durability (Mandal, 2015). High
strength ensure that the parts do not deform because of pressure or the forces generated from the
rotation of the shaft. Some of the centrifugal clutch parts are directly exposed to agents that
cause rusting. To prevent rusting from occurring, galvanized steel can be used so as to ensure
that the clutch serves for the longest time possible. Steel is on of most abundantly produced
metal in the word hence it is readily available.

Ball bearing would be beat made from stainless steel. For a bearing to work perfectly, it must be
spherical, smooth and free from defects. Occurrence of rusting on the ball could lead to the
formation of rough surfaces that may affect the functioning of the ball. Stainless steel is steel
whose chromium content is not less than 11% by weight (McGuire, 2008). It is a good corrosion
resistant material making ideal for use in the manufacture of ball bearings.
Bibliography
Grote, K.-H. & Antonsson, E. K. eds., 2009. Springer Handbook of Mechnical Engineering.
Leipzig: Springer.
Mandal, S. K., 2015. Steel Metallurgy: Properties, Specifications and Applications. London:
McGraw-Hill Education.
McGuire, M. F., 2008. Stainless Steel for Design Engineers. Materials Park(Ohio): ASM
International.
Narottam, P. B. & Jacques, L. eds., 2015. Ceramix Matrix Composites; Materials, Modelling
and Technology. Hoboken(New Jersy): John Willey & Sons.