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The knowledge of mechanical behaviour of material is vital for durability prediction and attending initial project requirements. Through the experimental evaluations is possible to measure this behaviour and use it as input in numerical simulations. Temperature changes considerably static and dynamic mechanical properties of materials, particularly in elastomers. This study was motivated to predict the durability under several working temperatures of center bearings rubber cushion of driveshafts that needs to achieve prespecified stiffness and durability parameters. Standardized specimens were tested in fatigue for experimental investigation of the rubber compound. Durability tests were performed in the final product sample and compared with tests performed in standardized specimens. It was concluded that this approach produces accurate results for fatigue predictions and provided useful equations for practical design applications and reducing product validation time.

Plastic cylinder head covers are an important component in modern engines. Their design is governed not just by space, economy and functionality considerations, but also by the growing number of functions that have to be accomplished by the cover, such as: provide a leak proof seal to the cylinder head and timing belts, isolate the vibrations transmitted from the engine through the cover to the environment, control the crankcase pressure and house the device(s) to separate oil from the blow-by gas. Additionally, the use of plastic affords the development of lighter, more elaborate and cost effective solutions. The present work describes analytical and experimental efforts aimed at understanding and, thus, improving the air/oil separation (AOS) in a given type of cylinder head covers.