Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention

, Volume 13, Issue 5, pp 561–569 | Cite as

Failure Analysis and Mechanical Performance Evaluation of a Cast Aluminum Hybrid-Iron Golf Club Hosel

  • Christopher A. Walton
  • Benjamin E. Nesbit
  • Henrique M. Candia
  • Zachary A. Myers
  • Wilburn R. Whittington
  • Tonya W. Stone
Case History---Peer-Reviewed
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Abstract

This article details the failure analysis of a commercial golf club hybrid-iron that fractured through the hosel during normal use. The golf club hosel was manufactured from a cast aluminum alloy, and the optical analysis revealed casting pores up to 20% through the hosel thickness. Mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy were determined for material characterization and used to construct a finite element model to analyze the performance of the material under failure conditions. In addition, a full structural scale experiment was conducted to determine the failure strength.

Keywords

Failure analysis Aluminum alloy Golf club 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) at Mississippi State University for allowing the use of the equipment to perform the material characterization and mechanical experiments. CAVS acknowledges the collaboration provided through the SIMULIA Research & Development program under which licenses of Abaqus were provided. Also, we would like to thank Thomas E. Lacy Jr. Ph.D, professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University, for his assistance and guidance.

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Copyright information

© ASM International 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Christopher A. Walton
    • 1
    • 2
  • Benjamin E. Nesbit
    • 3
  • Henrique M. Candia
    • 2
  • Zachary A. Myers
    • 2
  • Wilburn R. Whittington
    • 1
    • 2
  • Tonya W. Stone
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Center for Advanced Vehicular SystemsMississippi State UniversityStarkvilleUSA
  2. 2.Department of Mechanical EngineeringMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateUSA
  3. 3.Department of Aerospace EngineeringMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateUSA

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