Comparative Fatigue Resistance of Fiber Reinforced Nylon 6 Gears

Abstract

The fatigue-life diagrams of injection-molded nylon 6 gears with different reinforcements are presented for various lubrication modes (dry, grease, splash oil lubrication) and for different meshing combinations (plastic/plastic and steel/plastic gears). Tests have been carried out with a properly designed back-to-back rig; results are compared with previous experiments, performed with unreinforced nylon 6 gears. Tested gears have been 232 (70 in unreinforced nylon and 162 in differently filled polyamides). More than 700·106 cycles have been totalised. From test data, and from the “matrix” of gear/pinion material combination, the capabilities of differently reinforced nylon 6 gears for fatigue and wear resistance have been outlined. These capabilities are the basis for a proper material selection in plastic gear design.