In order to achieve the expected performance, durability and reliability of gear parts, it is very important to select suitable gear materials. The high load-bearing capacity of gears requires hard materials that are difficult to machine; high precision is conducive to materials that are easy to machine, so the strength and hardness levels are low. This article will briefly introduce the gear materials.
Gears are power transmission elements. Gears determine the torque, speed and direction of rotation of all driven machine components. There are many intricacies of different types of gears. In fact, the selection of gear types is not an easy process. It depends on many considerations. Influencing factors include physical space and shaft arrangement, gear ratio, load, accuracy and quality level.
According to industrial applications, many gears are manufactured using different materials and different performance specifications. These gears have a variety of capacities, sizes and speed ratios, but the main function is to convert the input of the prime mover into an output with high torque and low RPM. These gear series can be used almost in industries ranging from agriculture to aerospace.
Gears can be made of various materials, including various types of steel, bronze, cast iron, brass, ductile iron, aluminum, powdered metal, and plastic. Among them, steel is a common material and ideal. It provides a successful combination of high strength-to-weight ratio, high wear resistance, the ability to enhance physical properties through heat treatment, and a competitive price.
High-cost materials cannot ensure good gears. Certain applications may require the use of aluminum, brass, bronze, plastics, phenolic materials, powdered metals of various compounds, or stainless steel. Gear materials can be divided into two categories at first: metal and non-metal. Non-metallic materials can be subdivided into five basic categories: polymers, elastomers, ceramics, glass and composite materials. Metal materials are divided into two categories: ferrous metals, including steel; and non-ferrous metals such as bronze and aluminum alloys.
A large number of different materials can satisfy these basic elements. Gear materials can range from wood to current synthetic materials, including ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, powdered metals and plastics. Ancient gears even made of stone have been discovered. The selected material will affect the bearing capacity, strength, pitting resistance, life and cost of the gear.
How to choose gear material
First, the choice of gear material should be based on the functionality required by the application. If the material is not selected for the required task, the gear that is precisely designed and manufactured will fail miserably. The selected material will affect the manufacturing process.
The choice will be based on service, manufacturing and economic requirements. Simply put, gears transmit power or movement. The vast majority of power transmission gears will be made of steel. Except for the steel worm matched with the bronze gear and the plastic material used to reduce the power. Most gears are expected to withstand considerable loads and require some type of heat treatment to increase their strength and wear resistance. Gears that only provide movement are usually made of plastic or non-ferrous metals.
The choice of gear material is complicated and must be related to the specific load and life required by the application. The compatibility with the material, chemical composition, composition, mechanical properties, and cost of the mating gear must always be evaluated. Depending on the material used for the gear, its characteristics may require characteristics such as corrosion resistance and electrical or magnetic properties. The first three basic requirements for acceptable gear materials are sufficient rigidity.
The article mainly introduces what gear materials are and how to choose gear materials. You can know that gears can be made of various materials, including various types of steel, bronze, cast iron, brass, ductile iron, aluminum, powdered metal, and plastic. Wait. Among them, steel is a common material and ideal. It provides a successful combination of high strength-to-weight ratio, high wear resistance, the ability to enhance physical properties through heat treatment, and a competitive price.
