The STALA Connect press part is designed to improve the fatigue strength of welded tube connections. It can be used in L, and T joints to ensure smooth load transfer away from the joint. For L/T joints, it offers up to 30% better fatigue strength under bending loads compared to traditional joints.

The new press part solution for welded tube connections

STALA Connect is our innovation for lightweight bus body structures where the bending fatigue strength of welded tube connections is critical. By utilizing STALA Connect press parts in L and T joints, you can achieve a 30% increase in the FAT class (Fatigue Assessment Technique) by doubling the bending fatigue life cycles. Combining STALA high-strength tubes with STALA Connect press parts allows you to optimize your bus structural design and potentially reduce the wall thickness of tube materials.

Dimensions
  • Outer Radius 100 mm
  • Width 40 / 50 mm or according to the customer request

30% increase in FAT class under bending loads

Increasing the FAT class is crucial for several reasons:
 
Enhanced material strength utilization
A higher FAT class signifies that welded joints can endure greater stress ranges without experiencing fatigue failure. This advancement allows engineers to design structures that fully leverage the superior yield strength of high-strength materials, rather than being limited by the fatigue performance of the welds.
 
Decreased overdesign requirements
With an elevated fatigue strength classification, there is less need to overdesign components. This means that engineers can avoid unnecessarily increasing thickness or applying overly conservative safety factors to compensate for lower fatigue performance. As a result, this can lead to significant weight savings and reductions in material costs.
 
Stalatube Fatigue Test Results
STALA Connect FAT & Load Cycle Results under 175 MPa Nominal Stress

Benefits

  • Enhanced force flow: ensures smooth load transfer away from the joint.

  • Enhanced fatigue life: achieves up to 30% higher bending fatigue strength for L/T joints.

  • Versatile application: suitable for L, T, and X joints.

  • Optimized design: allows for potential reduction in tube wall thickness.

  • Increased FAT class​: doubles the bending fatigue life cycles.

Ask us more

Jori Määttänen

Sales DirectorHollow sections & profiles, Transport IndustryStalatube Oy (Finland)

+358 50 518 3320

Emrah Dutkun

R&D ManagerStalatube Oy (Finland)

Technical support, Transport industry