Influence of lubricants on the pitting fatigue of gears

Using the FZG gear tester with heat-treated and case-hardened gears the effect of lubricants and additives on the incidence of pitting fatigue was investigated. The influence of base oil type and additives requires further investigation before general conclusions can be derived. From the results now available extreme pressure additives which increase the scuffing load carrying capacity of case-hardened gears allow increased load testing without surface pitting failure. Additives have a direct beneficial influence on retarding the pitting of heat-treated gears. Of the additives tested, the most effective in reducing pitting fatigue failure was MoS₂, but with a high concentration of about 1.5%.