Performance studies on salt bath treated low-carbon steel gears

Tufftride TF1 treated low-carbon steel gears were tested in a back-to-back gear test rig. The purpose was to generate design data and to obtain information on the mechanism of failure. Contact stress versus cycles to failure (S-N) curve has been plotted, and the results correlated with data obtained from rolling contact fatigue tests. In an attempt to obtain a clear understanding of events at the contact surfaces of gear teeth, a complete analysis of gear operating conditions was made and the results are presented. Failure investigations have been performed using optical and scanning electron microscopes. © 1983.