INFLUENCE OF COATINGS AND SURFACE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE LIFETIME OF GEARS

Surface coatings or finishing processes are the future technologies for improving the load carrying capacity of case hardened gears. With the help of basic tests, the influence of different coatings and finishing processes on efficiency and resistance to wear, scuffing, micropitting, and macropitting is examined. Reports on experience with coated gears in different transmissions are depicted. In the past, coated transmission gears have been used to repair inadequate gear designs. Future application of such technologies will depend on verified test data and will be selected only if the technologies are reliable and cost-effective.