Testing of the Resistance to Scuffing of Spiral Bevel Gears: Test Rig, Method, and Results of Verification Testing

In spite of long-term development of the technology of bevel gear production, the automotive industry reports various operational demands such as the need of the size and mass reduction of gears without lowering their durability and reduction of friction leading to a decrease in the energy losses and a decrease of the tendency to scuffing. What is more expected, EU regulations may impose the use of new generation gear oils (ecological-friendly) providing the proper operational properties of the transmission. In view of these demands, a new, bevel gear test rig and scuffing test method have been developed at ITeE-PIB. The idea resulted from a necessity to improve reliability of tests—popular gear tests are run mostly on spur gears having the tooth geometry significantly different than bevel gears. The test rig, test method, and results of verification testing are presented. The effect of various gear oils and the deposition of a low-friction coating on the resistance to scuffing were investigated. It is shown that the new test rig fulfils the research requirements and that the new test method has a good resolution