Lublin University of Technology develops lightweight composite springs

Researchers at the Lublin University of Technology have developed composite springs that are up to 70 percent lighter than traditional steel versions. Led by Professor Patryk Jakubczak, the team created a design using polymer composites reinforced with carbon, glass, or aramid fibers.

Unlike standard helical or leaf springs, this new construction utilizes a different geometry that leverages the properties of composites through planar work and controlled buckling. The design allows engineers to customize mechanical properties, such as stiffness and deformation limits, during the design phase by adjusting the orientation of the composite layers and fibers.

Key advantages include corrosion resistance, insulating properties, and magnetic neutrality. Potential applications span the automotive industry, e-mobility, bicycles, and vibration machinery, such as conveyors and dispensers. The technology has undergone its first commercialization, and a pilot series is currently being sent to companies for real-world testing.