A fundamental approach to determine the impact of aramid and carbon fibers on durability and tribological performance of different polymer composites demonstrated in gear transmission process

Abstract When selecting a polymer or a reinforced polymer material for a specific drive technology, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the component’s operating characteristics, including the mechanics of tribological contact and the fatigue life of the materials used in gears. The choice of material plays a pivotal role in the gear running process, as it induces heat generation in the meshing zone and triggers flank wear progression along the high points of the teeth, which directly impacts the gear’s lifetime. This paper presents the results of durability testing conducted on steel/polymer gear pairs. The tested polymer materials were based on polyacetal and polyamide 66 chemical bases, reinforced with aramid, carbon fibers, and internally lubricated with polytetrafluoroethylene. The aim of the study was to evaluate the durability and thermal response of the materials and determine their correlation with flank wear rate progression. The results indicate that gears produced from polyacetal, and carbon-reinforced polyamide 66 materials exhibit the longest durability. Notably, the generated meshing temperatures are closely connected with flank wear propagation. The lowest wear coefficients were observed in gears produced from polyacetal and polyamide 66 materials reinforced with carbon fibers.