Gears serve as essential mechanisms in a wide range of mechanical equipment, helping to transmit torque, adjust rotational speeds, transfer power, distribute load and more. Used in necessary applications such as automobiles, energy systems, aerospace and industrial equipment, gears must be able to operate for long periods without maintenance. While gears can be made from a diverse assortment of materials, carbon and alloy steel offer superior benefits in terms of strength, durability and cost efficiency. As a remarkably recyclable material, steel may also be a preferable choice for environmentally conscious manufacturers.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that material properties can and will play a greater role than before in addressing the challenges most transmission manufacturers are facing today. Making use of materials' intrinsic fatigue properties provides a new design tool to support the market changes taking place.