Analysis of stresses in ADI internal gears mounted with interference: distortion and residual stresses effects

The stress state in ADI internal gears mounted with interference in aluminum casings is numerically simulated, considering working load as well as circularity distortion (ovalization) and residual stresses resulting from heat treatment. Ovalization exerts the greatest influence on interference and residual stresses, leading to a significantly high compressive stress which does not affect the gear structural integrity due to the high compression strength of ADI. This grants this alloy a competitive edge over steels of similar tensile strength. Still, ovalization has to be minimized considering its unfavorable effect on performance and working load capacity.