Investigation of the durability and performance of autoclave-cured, woven carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite gears in mesh with a steel pinion. (1st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zorko, Damijan; Tavčar, Jože; Šturm, Roman; Bergant, Zoran
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 273(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-01
• Subjects: Carbon fibers -- Wear -- Mechanical testing -- Autoclave -- Gears; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Highlights: Autoclave-cured, woven CFRP composite gears were investigated for the first time. Superior performance of woven CFRP gears when comparing with polymer was confirmed. Wear and delamination were the observed failure modes of CFRP gears. Two- and three-body abrasive, oxidative and fatigue wear were the main wear mechanisms. EDS confirmed that worn steel gear debris was imprinted in the softer epoxy matrix. Abstract: Wear mechanisms and failure modes were investigated for autoclave-cured, woven carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite gears in a mesh with a surface-hardened, 42CrMo4 steel pinion. The reference gears (m = 1 mm, b = 2 mm, z = 20) were tested at torque levels ranging from 0.4 Nm to 0.8 Nm. The temperature was monitored with a thermographic camera, while the gear damage and wear volume were analyzed and measured every 2 million cycles. The relationship between wear volume against the number of cycles was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy revealed two- and three-body abrasive, oxidative, and fatigue wear, and progressive de-laminations during the sliding and rolling of the gears. The CFRP composite gears exhibited higher wear resistance than the polymer ones.