The influence of worm gear material and lubricant on the efficiency and coefficient of friction

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental tests of the efficiency of a single-stage worm gear. Two worm drives were used for testing, where the worms are made of improved steel 42CrMo4 and the worm gears are made of tin bronze CuSn12 and aluminium alloy A356. The values of the efficiency were determined at different values of revolutions and loads, where oils of different viscosities were used for lubrication. Determining the efficiency, the coefficient of friction of worm drives was calculated for experimental operating conditions, as well as the mass measurement of worm gears before and after testing. Based on the experimental results, depending on the operating mode and oil viscosity, the values of the efficiency of the worm drive made of the material 42CrMo4/CuSn12 are higher by 5 to 9 % compared to the worm drive 42CrMo4/A356. Higher values of the efficiency of the worm drive 42CrMo4/CuSn12 cause lower values of the coefficient of friction by 14 to 21 % as well as less wear of the worm gears.