Kaboomafoo
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I'm still an engineering student in my Junior year, so bear with me. This is a side project I sometimes work on in my spare time.
I've created a rough draft concept for possible track links on an early Cold War MBT. The average weight of a 50s/60s MBT was around 43 metric tons, and desired ground pressures range from .7 to 1.125 kg/cm3, which for a typically sized MBT would result in a track width somewhere between 72 and 45 cm. I chose 64 cm because it's a good round number that's higher in the spectrum.
I'm wondering two main things: 1. Which method of rubber shoe replacement would be more practical? I like the second, but I've never seen it done before on a tank, so does it have a major drawback like increased wear and tear?
2. What specific types of steel and rubber are typically used in tank treads? Since they need hardness more than they need ductility I figure higher carbon steels, but did they use 1045? 4140? Is the rubber a solid block or is it reinforced?
Thanks in advance!
I've created a rough draft concept for possible track links on an early Cold War MBT. The average weight of a 50s/60s MBT was around 43 metric tons, and desired ground pressures range from .7 to 1.125 kg/cm3, which for a typically sized MBT would result in a track width somewhere between 72 and 45 cm. I chose 64 cm because it's a good round number that's higher in the spectrum.
I'm wondering two main things: 1. Which method of rubber shoe replacement would be more practical? I like the second, but I've never seen it done before on a tank, so does it have a major drawback like increased wear and tear?
2. What specific types of steel and rubber are typically used in tank treads? Since they need hardness more than they need ductility I figure higher carbon steels, but did they use 1045? 4140? Is the rubber a solid block or is it reinforced?
Thanks in advance!
