Design of Alternative Composite Material to Available Tractor Cabins

Abstract

All mobile machinery is at the risk of rolling over, depending on the machinery characteristics the need to protect operator from the risk of being injured or causing death due to rollover has been of prime importance in the design. Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) is a frame or cab like structure surrounding the seat-belted operator with a hard hat, strong enough to absorb impact energy in case of rollover vehicle. Metals most suitable as strength and cost are common materials preferred in this area. However, they are insufficient at some properties such as, tension, bending strength and corrosion resistant. It is aimed that fiber reinforced polymer composites will be used at design and production of ROPS that is now produced by welded steel construction. In this study, it is aimed to investigate mechanical properties of different combination of composite material structure molded by resin transfer molding in comparison to steel construction.