All gears are susceptible to micropitting, a condition that can damage gear tooth
accuracy and even cause catastrophic equipment failure if left unchecked.
Micropitting damages gear surfaces beginning at the contact points and spreads
through gear surface cracks. The main crack undermines the surface by growing
deeper and spreading in a fan shape, including external, internal, spur helical and
level gears. Although micropitting is not easy to detect, the selection of the correct lubricant can greatly help mitigate its costly effects.
Here are measures to guard against micropitting:
• Increase oil film thickness – Use the highest practical oil viscosity, run gears at high speeds, cool gear teeth, and use synthetic oils above -80° C.
• Reduce surface roughness – Coat teeth and run-in with special lubricant,
pre-filter lubricant, keep oil cool during run-in, drain lubricant and flush
gearbox after run-in, and change filter frequently.
• Optimize lubricant – Select oil with high micropitting resistance, low traction coefficient, and high pressure viscosity coefficient. Avoid oils with aggressive EP additives, and keep oils cool, dry and clean of solid contaminants
By carefully selecting the correct lubricant, industrial maintenance professionals can reduce incidences of micropitting, increasing efficiency and reducing costs by helping safeguard against equipment failure.
accuracy and even cause catastrophic equipment failure if left unchecked.
Micropitting damages gear surfaces beginning at the contact points and spreads
through gear surface cracks. The main crack undermines the surface by growing
deeper and spreading in a fan shape, including external, internal, spur helical and
level gears. Although micropitting is not easy to detect, the selection of the correct lubricant can greatly help mitigate its costly effects.
Here are measures to guard against micropitting:
• Increase oil film thickness – Use the highest practical oil viscosity, run gears at high speeds, cool gear teeth, and use synthetic oils above -80° C.
• Reduce surface roughness – Coat teeth and run-in with special lubricant,
pre-filter lubricant, keep oil cool during run-in, drain lubricant and flush
gearbox after run-in, and change filter frequently.
• Optimize lubricant – Select oil with high micropitting resistance, low traction coefficient, and high pressure viscosity coefficient. Avoid oils with aggressive EP additives, and keep oils cool, dry and clean of solid contaminants
By carefully selecting the correct lubricant, industrial maintenance professionals can reduce incidences of micropitting, increasing efficiency and reducing costs by helping safeguard against equipment failure.
1 comment:
A good branded lube specifically meant for the application ( Hydraulic oil may be used as Gear oil not wise versa) will ensure prevention of micropitting. Additionally eliminating/reducing air (dust has many contaminants)and moisture is a sure way to prevent micropitting. I learnt this in the 17 years with Castrol India, indirectly while associating with Tribol & Chemtrend product and colleagues.
Lube.specialist@gmail.com
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