Wheel Rim Vibration Damping Enhancement using Jute, Flax and Natural Rubber Reinforcement

The work in this paper investigates the effectiveness of eco-friendly natural fiber materials—jute, flax, and natural rubber for enhancing vibration damping in vehicle wheel rims to improve ride comfort and extend vehicle lifespan. Excessive vibrations can cause discomfort, fatigue, and health risks, making their mitigation essential. Initially, a 3D CAD model of the wheel rim is developed using a precise 3D scanner, and finite element simulations are then carried out to estimate the natural frequencies. The rim was subjected to free-free boundary conditions for FFT analysis to measure the natural frequency and vibration damping factor. The experimental and simulation results showed excellent correlation. Jute and flax fibers demonstrated progressive improvements in damping performance without compromising rim stiffness. Natural rubber emerged as the most effective material, achieving a 139% improvement in vibration damping with 3.2 mm thickness, significantly reducing the quality factor and increasing critical damping while maintaining structural integrity. These findings underscore the potential of sustainable, biodegradable, and renewable materials, particularly natural rubber, in mitigating vehicle vibrations and enhancing passenger comfort, offering eco-friendly solutions in automotive engineering.