Efficiency and Durability of Spur Gears with Surface Coatings and Surface Texturing

Experimental results on mechanical efficiency and durability of spur gears are presented. Reducing the power losses and increasing the reliability of gears are fundamnetal aspects of the design of transmissions. In order to analyze the tribological performance of innovative coatings and laser texturing, three different types of spur gears were tested: standard carburized gears, WC/C-coated carburized gears, and carburized gears with laser texture pattern. Tests have been carried out through a power recirculating test rig equipped with a single-stage transmission; power losses were evaluated by analyzing the torque-meters signals; several pictures of the teeth were taken at scheduled times to monitor the wear progression. In conclusion, results are presented and discussed.