Abstract
The premature failed rear axle shaft of a three wheeler vehicle is analyzed to investigate the cause of failure. The axle shaft was found fractured into two pieces. Visual and macroscopic examination, chemical analysis, tensile testing, hardness testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used in the present investigation. The fractured surface was found at spline under wheel hub section. The presence of corrosion (due to the detection of 17% oxygen in EDX) was traced at the fractured surface that acted as stress riser at particular point of axle shaft. The nature of propagation of crack was found fatigue type (observation of striation) in SEM micrograph. The multiplication of cracks under fatigue condition may cause premature failure of the axle. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Materials Science and Manufacturing.