Abstract
Polyamide (PA) is preferably for gear application due its high strength to weight ratio, ease of processing and good wear resistance. However, hysteresis and frictional heating of the PA material limit its range of utilization. Normally, reinforcement helps to reduce the amount of hysteresis heating, however material inhomogeneity deteriorates its metrological and wear characteristics. The current study evaluates the life enhancement of polyamide 66 gear under oil lubrication condition compared to dry condition. Gear test life performance were conducted at various load and at constant rotational speed under dry and splash lubrication system. The net surface temperature of test gear and oil temperature were measured. The gear test life under oil lubrication was found to be greater to dry condition. Transmission efficiency found to be improved under oil lubrication compared to the dry condition. Failure morphology confirmed that, tooth cracked at gear tooth and scuffing (severe surface wear) on flank of gear tooth was the failure mode of the test gear under dry and oil lubricated condition.