Effects of slide-to-roll ratio and temperature on the tribological behaviour in polymer-steel contacts and a comparison with the performance of real-scale gears

Gearboxes that employ polymer gears are being used in an ever-increasing number of different applications. However, polymer-gear design suffers from a lack understanding their tribological behaviour under controlled – but at the same time realistic conditions. One factors is often overlooked model tests effect slide-to-roll ratio (SRR), which gear meshing and conventionally experiments with pure sliding. In this study, we analyse wear mechanisms coefficients, as well friction, very common pairs non-lubricated POM/steel contacts, SRRs (25–150%) two temperatures (50 80 °C). The load was also varied (8 45 N). results show 50 °C SRR-variable tribotests can predict SRR-dependent along path (positions A–E) real gears, while too severe, leading to thermal overload. An about 10-times-larger coefficient, compared tests, measured during our better estimation pin-on-disc test 2–4 orders-of-magnitude deviation. Furthermore, based on accurate simulation friction tribotests, empirical variable SRR developed predicts coefficient contact line real-scale 3% This study shows SRR- temperature-controlled relevant for gears’ furthermore they generate predictive, results.