Masataka Kumata

Fiber reinforced plastic drive shaft and method of manufacturing thereof

A fiber reinforced plastic drive shaft comprising a pair of metal joint members, an inner plastic layer extending over the entire length of the drive shaft and holding the metal joint members in both end portions thereof, and an outer plastic layer formed on the inner layer. The inner layer comprises continuous carbon fibers helically wound at 45-75 degrees to the axis of the drive shaft, while the outer layer comprises continuous fibers such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, polyester fibers and aramide fibers helically wound at 5-40 degrees to the axis of the drive shaft. The drive shaft has a greatly increased torsional strength and damping effect. The maximum damping effect is provided when the outer layer is formed only over the joint members.