Influence of anodized depth on fatigue life for bicycle cranks Articles uri icon

publication date

  • August 2018

start page

  • 82

end page

  • 89

volume

  • 90

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1350-6307

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-1961

abstract

  • Bicycle manufacturers are using new materials in order to improve the bicycle performance. In high-level cycling, magnesium, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber, have replaced steel with the purpose of improving the weight/rigidity ratio. Due to cost factors and ease of machining, aluminum is widely used in bicycle cranks manufacturing. In order to improve the external aspect of the final product and protect the external surface of the component, some surface treatments must be applied. In the case of aluminum, anodizing is the most extended treatment, due to several factors as low cost, visual aspect, variety of colors and finishing. However, this treatment may reduce the fatigue resistance of the component. In this work, the best compromise between anodizing depth and fatigue resistance performance of a bicycle crank has been analysed in order to provide an optimum solution to improve the performance of the component.

subjects

  • Mechanical Engineering

keywords

  • fatigue life; anodizing; bicycle crank; aluminium