Influence of mass temperature on gear scuffing

• Published in: Tribology international Vol. 119; pp. 27 - 37
• Main Authors: Castro, J., Seabra, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Critical mass; Friction; Gears; Lubricants & lubrication; Mass temperature; Mineral oils; Parameters; Scuffing; Viscosity; Wear; Mineral oils; Mass temperature; Gears; Scuffing; Friction; Wear
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2017.10.032

A new scuffing parameter for gears lubricated with mineral base oils is developed, proposing the existence of gear mass temperatures which are critical for each lubricant (viscosity grade).
The introduction of the total cycle of the gear for mass temperatures calculation is supported by a theoretical background that was clearly established without empirical formulation and without any geometrical gear specificity which provides consistent physical support to the proposed scuffing parameter.
The oil dynamic viscosity at the critical mass temperatures is constant, allowing the prediction of critical temperatures for other viscosity grades of the mineral gear oils without the need of additional scuffing tests.
•A scuffing criterion for gears was developed based on heat power intensity (HPI).•HPI includes the total cycle of the gear for mass temperatures calculation.•HPI explains the scuffing behavior for different gear geometries with a consistent physical support.•HPI explains the critical mass temperatures for scuffing and the different mass temperatures for the pinion and the wheel.•The existence of a critical viscosity at mass temperatures allows to calculate critical temperatures for other similar oils.•The scuffing criteria doesn't involve any specificity from gears, and is easily adapted for other mechanisms.