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Evaluation of surface fatigue performance of gear oils
Author(s) -
Hong H.S.,
Huston M. E.,
O'Connor B. M.,
Stadnyk N. M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
lubrication science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.632
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1557-6833
pISSN - 0954-0075
DOI - 10.1002/ls.3010100407
Subject(s) - spall , pinion , base oil , metallurgy , materials science , chemistry , composite material , engineering , mechanical engineering , scanning electron microscope , rack
The effect of additive chemistry on the surface fatigue of gears was investigated using an FZG gear tester and fluids based on an API GL‐5 grade gear oil. Surface fatigue lives were determined as a function of load and additive chemistry. At 1.52 GPa, the removal of the primary extreme pressure (EP) additive from the fully formulated gear oil decreased the fatigue life of gears slightly (4%). However, the removal of the primary antiwear (AW) additive decreased the fatigue life of gears significantly (83%). At 1.86 GPa, the removal of the EP additive from the fully formulated gear oil decreased the gear fatigue life by 27%. However, the removal of the primary AW additive decreased the fatigue life of gears significantly (75%). Micro‐pitting was the dominant surface morphology in the dedendum of the gears tested with two oils at load stage eleven: one using the complete additive package, and a second where the EP additive had been removed. However, spalling was the primary failure mode of gears tested without an AW additive, independent of whether an EP agent was present. Surface analysis of the pinion gears showed the formation of a mixed phosphate/phosphite—oxide layer on the surface of gears tested with fluids containing an AW additive. Formation of this layer seems to be the key to a long fatigue life.