Performance of plastic gear made of carbon fiber reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone

A carbon fiber (CF) reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) gear was prepared by injection molding, and its gear performance was evaluated. It was found that the wear process of the CF reinforced PEEK gear significantly varied depending on the test conditions, such as the kind of the partner gear combined and whether a lubricant exists on the engagement region or not. It was assumed that the existence of transfer film at the engagement region, the affinity between PEEK and CF, the compression modulus as well as surface hardness of the partner gear, and the characteristics of CF play a role of differentiation in the wear depth.     

MoS2/Ti low-friction coating for gears

The applicability of a multilayer composite surface coating in gears is discussed in this work, mainly in what concerns to gear efficiency at normal operating conditions and to scuffing load capacity. The average friction coefficient between gear teeth is discussed and compared with uncoated steel gears.The disulfide molybdenum/titanium (MoS₂/Ti) composite coating is studied and the deposition procedure is described.Several screening tests, like Rockwell indentations, ball cratering, pin-on-disc and reciprocating wear, were performed to evaluate the adhesion to the substrate, the tribological performance of this coating and his applicability in heavy loaded rolling-sliding contacts, such as found in gears.FZG gear efficiency tests were performed using type C gears in order to evaluate the influence of the surface coating in gear efficiency, for a wide range of operating conditions. These tests in conjunction with a numerical model for the energetic balance of the FZG gearbox allowed the determination of the average friction coefficient between gear teeth, taking into account the presence of the surface coating.FZG gear scuffing tests were also performed using type C gears in order to evaluate the coating anti-scuffing performance, which proved to be very significant.     

Comparative investigation on the tribological behaviors of CF/PEEK composites under sea water lubrication

Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites were prepared and their tribological behaviors under sea water lubrication were comparatively investigated. The results showed that the incorporation of CF can greatly improve the wear resistance of PEEK under sea water lubrication, especially when the volume fraction of CF was about 10%, because exposed CF can effectively share the main load between the contact surfaces and consequently protect the matrix from severe wear. In addition, CF/PEEK had better friction and wear properties under sea water lubrication than under dry friction and pure water lubrication due to better lubricating effect of sea water.     

Tribo‐investigation of PEEK‐short carbon fibre composites in severe testing conditions

A series of composites of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) containing short carbon fibre (CF) in the range of 0–30% (w/w) was developed. Their wear behaviour in low amplitude oscillating wear (LAOW) mode was studied under various operating parameters such as load and temperature. The LAOW mode was studied in ball‐on‐plate configuration against steel (100 Cr 6) at ambient temperature and at 100°C. In this mode, the coefficient of friction (µ), specific wear rate (Ko) and limiting loading pressure‐sliding speed (PV) values were investigated. It was observed that with increase in %CF, the wear performance and utility of PEEK (limiting PV value) improved significantly. Thirty percent CF was best performing composite in all aspects. The µ, however, was hardly influenced with the inclusion of CF or variation in operating parameters. The same composites were also evaluated in abrasive wear mode to study the influence of severe operating conditions on wear and friction performance. In this wear mode, the CF‐filled composites showed poorer wear resistance than did neat PEEK. The specific wear rate was correlated with strength properties and it was observed that these composites closely followed the predictions of the Ratner–Lancaster plot. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructural features of worn surfaces. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new approach for polymer composite gear design

A new design method for polymer composite gear has been proposed in the current paper. This design method is based on the link between polymer gear wear rate and its surface temperature. It has been found from the tests that the polymer (acetal) gear wear rate will be increased dramatically when the load reaches a critical value for a specific geometry. The gear surface will wear slowly with a low specific wear rate if the gear is loaded below the critical one. The possible reason of the sudden increase in wear rate is due to the gear operating temperature reaching the material melting point under the critical load condition. Gear surface temperature has been then investigated in detail through three components: ambient, bulk and flash temperatures. Through extensive experimental investigations and modelling on gear surface temperature variations, a general relation has been built up between gear surface temperature and gear load capacity. The method has been related to test results under different operating ambient temperature and gear geometries. Good agreement has been achieved between the proposed method predictions and experimental test results. Experimental investigation on polymer composite (glass fibre reinforced nylon with PTFE as internal lubricant) gears have also been carried out and two forms of failure have been found, root and pitch fractures.     

On dry sliding friction and wear behaviour of PEEK and PEEK/SiC-composite coatings

In this work, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and PEEK/SiC-composite coatings were deposited on Al substrates using a printing technique to improve their surfaces performance. The objective of this work was to investigate coatings friction and wear behaviour. Especially, the effect of sliding velocity and applied load on coatings friction coefficient and wear rate was evaluated in range of 0.2-1.4 m/s and 1-9 N, respectively. Compared to Al substrate, the coated samples exhibit excellent friction coefficient and wear rate. For PEEK coating, under an applied load of 1 N, the increase in sliding velocity can result in decreasing of friction coefficient at a cost of wear resistance. Under a load of 9 N, however, PEEK coating exhibits the highest friction coefficient and wear rate at an intermediate velocity. These influences appear to be mainly ascribed to the influence of contact temperature of the two relative sliding parts. In most test conditions, the composite coating exhibits better wear resistance and a little higher friction coefficient. SiC reinforcement in composite coating plays a combined role. First of all, it might lead to energy dissipation for activation of fracture occurred on the interface of PEEK and the powders. Moreover, it can reduce coating ploughs and the adhesion between the two relative sliding parts.     

高分子复合材料齿轮磨损模型及磨损测试研究

基于Archard磨损模型,建立高分子复合材料齿轮磨损量模型;分析黏弹性体高分子复合材料齿轮的啮合特性,探讨高分子复合材料齿轮磨损量测量原理。设计了一种高分子复合材料齿轮磨损量测量系统,该系统的测试原理是,通过单铰链支撑的悬臂梁和枢轴箱对齿轮动态加载,使齿轮轮齿表面发生磨损从而导致枢轴箱发生旋转,通过位移传感器测量枢轴箱的偏转角,然后由建立的偏转角与齿轮磨损量之间的关系模型计算得到磨损量。在设计的测试系统上对尼龙66齿轮进行疲劳磨损实验,实验结果和理论模型计算结果基本吻合,既验证了理论模型的正确性,也为高分子复合材料齿轮磨损测试提供了一种新方法。     

Synergetic Effect of Lubricant Additive and Reinforcement Additive on the Tribological Behaviors of PEEK-Based Composites under Seawater Lubrication

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-based composites reinforced with lubricant additive (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) and reinforcement additives including carbon fiber (CF), glass fiber (GF), and bronze powder were prepared using a hot-press molding technique. The synergetic effects of different additives on the tribological behaviors of PEEK-based composites sliding against 316 steel under seawater lubrication were investigated systematically using a ring-on-block test rig. The results showed that lubricant additive PTFE can decrease the friction coefficient and consequently improved the wear resistance of PEEK under seawater lubrication, especially when the volume fraction of PTFE was about 20%. It was also found that the incorporation of CF can further improve the wear resistance of PEEK blended with 20% PTFE, especially under high load and high sliding speed. This suggested that a synergistic effect on improving the wear resistance of PEEK existed between PTFE and CF, which originated from good lubrication of PTFE, good reinforcement of CF, and good interfacial combination between CF and PEEK-20%PTFE. However, two other reinforcement additives of GF and bronze powder had an antagonistic effect but not a synergetic effect with PTFE; that is, the incorporation of the two additives greatly deteriorated the wear resistance of PEEK blended with 20% PTFE.     

Influence of low friction coatings on the scuffing load capacity and efficiency of gears

The influence of multilayer composite surface coatings on gear scuffing load carrying capacity, gear friction coefficient and gearbox efficiency is discussed in this work.The deposition procedures of molybdenum disulphide/titanium (MoS₂/Ti) and carbon/chromium (C/Cr) composite coatings are described.Tests reported in the literature, such as Rockwell indentations, ball cratering, pin-on-disc and reciprocating wear, confirm the excellent adhesion to the substrate and the tribological performance of these coatings, suggesting they can be applied with success in heavy loaded rolling–sliding contacts, such as those found in gears.FZG gear scuffing tests were performed in order to evaluate the coatings anti-scuffing performance, which both improved very significantly in comparison to uncoated gears. These results in conjunction with the friction power intensity (FPI) scuffing criterion allowed the determination of a friction coefficient factor X_SC to include the coating influence on the friction coefficient expression.The composite coatings were also applied to the gears of a transfer gearbox and its efficiency was measured and compared at different input speeds and torques with the uncoated carburized steel gears. Significant efficiency improvement was found with the MoS₂/Ti coating.     

模拟矿井环境下的PEEK/SiO2/CF-MoS2复合材料摩擦行为研究*

为改善聚醚醚酮（PEEK）在矿井工况下的摩擦性能,选用纳米二氧化硅（SiO2）、二硫化钼（MoS2）和短切碳纤维（CF）为增强填料制备PEEK/SiO2/CF-MoS2复合材料,并探究PEEK/SiO2/CF-MoS2复合材料在不同工况条件下的滑动与滚动摩擦学性能;通过模拟滚轮罐耳在矿井环境下的运行方式,分析其磨损形貌和磨损机制。结果表明：PEEK/SiO2/CF-MoS2复合材料在不同载荷条件下均具有良好的减摩和耐磨特性;滑动摩擦在水介质工况下及滚动摩擦在干摩擦工况下,复合材料的摩擦因数和磨损率最低,其磨损机制均以磨粒磨损为主。与矿井常用的聚氨酯材料的对比,PEEK/SiO2/CF-MoS2复合材料的摩擦学性能更为优异。     

The Slow-Speed Wear Behavior of Case-Carburized Gears Lubricated with NLGI 00 Grease under Boundary Lubrication Conditions

NLGI 00 greases are often used to lubricate gears running at low pitch line velocities, such as, for example, in large open gear drives. At low pitch line velocities, sliding wear, which under these operating conditions is referred to as slow speed wear, is often the limiting factor to gear lifetime. A thorough knowledge of the effect of different grease components on the wear behavior is therefore important when selecting a grease to effectively reduce gear wear in a given gear drive. In order to systematically investigate and analyze the influence of different grease components on the slow-speed wear behavior of case-carburized gears, systematic gear tests using the Gear Research Center's (FZG) back-to-back gear test rig were conducted. Primarily, the focus of the experimental investigations is on the influence of the base oil viscosity and type, the additive type, and also the type of soap thickener on the gear wear behavior at low pitch line velocities. To experimentally determine the influence of these different grease components on the wear behavior of case-carburized gears, a modified, more stringent wear test, based on the standard DGMK slow-speed wear test for gear oils, was developed. Different NLGI 00 greases with base oil viscosities between ν₄₀ = 70 and 1,200 mm²/s were investigated.

Base oil type and base oil viscosity were shown to have only a minor effect on the wear behavior under boundary lubrication conditions. On the other hand, the thickener type and especially the additive type play an important role in determining the wear behavior.     

Integrated wear prediction model for cylindrical gear with variable hyperbolic circular arc tooth trace under mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Cylindrical gear with variable hyperbolic circular arc tooth trace (VH-CATT) is a new type of gear. Sliding wear is the main mode of the surface failure of multiple mechanical parts. Both the lubrication state and contact temperature considerably influence wear characteristics, which may aggravate the transmission performance of gear pairs. Wear, contact temperature, as well as lubrication states are jointly explored. Therefore, an integrated wear prediction model was proposed through taking into account flash contact temperature and surface roughness of VH-CATT cylindrical gears in mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication. According to the equivalent ellipse contact model of VH-CATT cylindrical gears and tooth surface equation, normal curvature and velocity relations for VH-CATT cylindrical gears were observed, and the normal meshing force was obtained through the consideration of load sharing coefficients and quality grades. Flash contact temperature was estimated by using the literature. This study proposes analytical solutions for investigating how various surface roughness, operation, and geometric parameters affect asperity contact ratio (ACR), asperity contact pressure (ACP), flash contact temperature (FCT), as well as wear depth (WD) related to driving gears. ACR, ACP, FCT, as well as WD initially decrease and then increase from engaging-in to engaging-out processes. The minimum occurs at the pitch point. The WD declines as module, cutter radius, and rotational velocity increase while augmenting when surface roughness and torques increase. The maximum and minimum wear depths in driving gears occur at the dedendum and pitch point, respectively. Its overall wear is reduced by 23.16 % compared to the wear of spur gears. The results are valuable for the studies of tooth pitting, wear resistance, and fatigue life improvement for VH-CATT cylindrical gear. These studies can provide verification data and references required for engineering designs and VH-CATT cylindrical gear operations.

     

Self-Lubricating PTFE-Based Composites with Black Phosphorus Nanosheets

Black phosphorus (BP), a newly emerging two-dimensional material, has recently received considerable attention. Our recent work suggested that BP nanosheets exhibit extraordinary mechanical and lubrication properties. In the present work, the tribological properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and carbon fiber (CF)/PTFE composites with BP nanosheets have been investigated. The morphologies and surface element distribution of the worn tracks of the tribopair surfaces were examined by different analytical techniques. The results show that the coefficients of friction (COFs) of both the PEEK/PTFE and CF/PTFE composites decreased dramatically after the addition of BP nanosheets, and the minimum COF of the composite was 0.04, which was a quarter of that of the PTFE composite without BP nanosheets. After BP nanosheets were added into the composites, the wear rate of the PTFE/PEEK composite decreased dramatically, while that of the CF/PTFE composite increased significantly with the increase in the filler concentration. The analysis of the lubrication mechanism of the PTFE composite with BP nanosheets suggested that BP nanosheets could be constantly supplied into the contact area and gradually formed a BP film composed of phosphorus oxide and phosphoric acid on the counterpart surface instead of the formation of PTFE transfer film. The formed BP transfer film promoted the friction reduction and the disappearance of the adhesive wear.     

Effects of cutting fluid application on tool wear in machining: Interactions with tool-coatings and tool surface features

Minimal Quantity of Lubricant (MQL) application of cutting fluids (CFs), or near-dry machining, is being proposed as an environmentally and economically viable alternative to conventional flooding under conditions where dry cutting is not feasible. However, several issues related to CF application effects on cutting tool wear need further clarification, especially, the interactions of CF application with tool-coatings and chip-breakers, both of which are widely employed in industrial cutting tools, need further study. This paper presents the results of an experimental study into the effects of different CF application methods on tool wear during machining of AISI 1045 steel using flat-faced and grooved, coated carbide cutting tools. The results provide insight into the mechanisms of tool wear in the presence of CFs, as well as the influence of chip-breaking geometric features, and tool-coating systems, on CF action. The wear mode was observed to be dictated by thermal considerations, rather than by any friction reduction capability of different CF application methods, and forced attempts at achieving lubricating action were negatively affecting tool life under some conditions.     

润滑和载荷状态对聚甲醛齿轮服役性能的影响

基于齿轮耐久性能试验台开展了一系列干接触/油润滑下POM(聚甲醛)-POM齿轮副承载能力试验,并测量了服役过程中的轮齿温度、磨损量、齿廓精度和齿面形貌。试验发现,POM齿轮失效形式与载荷和润滑方式有关。通过对齿面微观形貌和磨屑表征,确认干接触下POM齿轮主要磨损模式为黏着磨损与磨粒磨损,而油润滑下POM齿轮失效形式为接触疲劳失效。由于润滑油减少了齿面摩擦,降低了运行温度,延缓了齿面劣化程度,因此POM齿轮在油润滑下的承载能力明显提高。     

碳纤维/聚醚醚酮(CF/PEEK)复合材料摩擦磨损性能及抗摩擦静电特性研究

利用真空热压烧结技术制备了不同碳纤含量的碳纤维/聚醚醚酮(CF/PEEK)复合材料,采用热导率分析仪和热重测试仪对材料的热学性能进行表征,并利用多功能摩擦磨损试验机、三维形貌轮廓仪、扫描电子显微镜和摩擦静电计对材料的摩擦磨损性能和抗摩擦静电性能进行分析。分析结果表明：随着CF添加量的增加,复合材料摩擦因数、磨损率和摩擦静电电压先降低后升高,当CF添加量(质量分数)为20%时,摩擦因数、磨损率和摩擦静电电压达到最低,分别为0.247、5.6×10^-6 mm/(N·m)和3.3 V,证明此种方法制备的20%CF/PEEK材料具有优异的摩擦磨损性能和抗静电性能。CF/PEEK复合材料磨损机理以黏着磨损为主,并且伴随着轻微的磨粒磨损。     

The Effect of Applied Load on Tribological Behaviors of Potassium Titanate Whiskers Reinforced PEEK Composites Under Water Lubricated Condition

The tribological behavior of potassium titanate whiskers (PTW) reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite has been investigated using the pin-on-disk configuration at different applied loads under water lubricated condition. It was found that the incorporation of the PTW into PEEK would achieve high wear resistance and low friction coefficient at low load. When the applied load increased up to 4 MPa, only the composite filled with 5 wt% PTW showed a significant improvement in the frictional reduction and wear resistance; on the contrary, a rapid increasing of the friction coefficient was observed for the composites of high PTW content. In the meantime, the severe wear loss occurred along with the sharply increasing temperature. This sudden deterioration of the wear resistance should be attributed to the change of the wear mechanism. The main wear mechanism of mild fatigue for the neat PEEK and mild abrasive wear for the 5 wt% PTW filled composite did not alter with the rising of the load. In this case, no transfer film could be detected on the counterpart surface. However, for the high PTW filled composites, the wear mechanism changed from the mild abrasive wear at low applied load to the severe fatigue wear at high load. Large amounts of wear debris were generated by the fatigue-delamination of the composite surface. And then, the debris served as third-body abrasives during the subsequent sliding process and the wear mechanism changed to severe abrasive wear. And unexpectedly, a thick and lumpy transfer film was formed on the counterface.     

Modeling of helical gear contact with tooth deflection

The majority of gear tribological studies are made on spur gears. However, helical gears are generally used in industry, and their contact behavior deserves more attention to establish a realistic base for detailed friction, wear and life studies. This study focuses on the modeling of helical gear contact with tooth deflection. A calculation model for helical gear contact analysis is introduced. Helical gear surface profiles are constructed from gear tool geometry by simulating the hobbing process. The model uses three-dimensional finite elements for the calculation of tooth deflection including tooth bending, shearing and tooth foundation flexibility. The model combines contact analysis with structural analysis to avoid large meshes. Tooth foundation flexibility was found to have an essential role in contact load sharing between the meshing teeth, whereas contact flexibility plays only a minor role. The capability of different local contact calculation methods was also studied.     

On the Effect of Counterface Material and Aqueous Environment on the Sliding Wear of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

Carbon fibre reinforced Polyetheretherketone (PEEK/CF) was exposed to unidirectional sliding at a speed of 28 mm/s against various counterparts. Some of these tests were repeated in water. The bearing steel produced the worst results. In this case, the carbon fibre reinforcement even increased the wear compared to unreinforced PEEK. Most other counterparts led to wear rates almost a factor 100 lower. Chemically inert hard counterparts performed best. The lowest wear rates were found against DLC. An aqueous environment usually accelerated the wear process. Only in case of alumina and DLC counterparts, the water lubrication reduced the wear rate. The addition of graphite plus Polytetraflourethylene (PTFE) to PEEK/CF reduced the sensitivity to the operation conditions.     

Dynamic interaction between contact loads and tooth wear of engaged plastic gear pairs

This study investigates the interaction between the dynamic contact load and the tooth profile wear of POM and Nylon 66 plastic gear pairs. A dynamic model of a plastic gear pair is presented. This model incorporates the effects of position-varying tooth mesh stiffness, damping ratio, load sharing, tooth profile wear and temperature on the dynamic contact load. The tooth wear equation developed by Flodin and Andersson [Simulation of mild wear in spur gears. Wear 1997;207:16–23] is utilized to simulate tooth wear and tooth profile variation. The variation of the contact load generated by the cumulative tooth profile wear is simulated and examined. A computational algorithm is developed to simulate the interaction between a dynamic contact load and tooth profile wear. Numerical results demonstrate that the dynamic load histogram of an engaged plastic gear pair can change markedly due to tooth wear.