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Micropitting Can Lead To Macro Problems

Micropitting effects on gear performance

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117 views2 pages

Micropitting Can Lead To Macro Problems

Micropitting effects on gear performance

Uploaded by

Anonymous alQXB11EgQ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Micropitting Can Lead to

Macro Problems

What is Micropitting?
Micropitting is a surface fatigue phenomenon mainly observed
in gears but can also occur in rolling element bearings.
Micropitting causes destructive wear that can occur within
the first few hours of operation. If left uncontrolled, significant
equipment failures may occur. While many factors can
contribute to the generation of micropitting, surface roughness
and lubricant selection are key factors. Micropitting is not a
new phenomenon. It has become much more prominent as
gearbox design has evolved with the use of case hardened What Problems Can Micropitting Lead To?
or carburized gears. Gearbox technology has achieved Micropitting on gears may lead to problems with gears,
significant reduction in the size of the gearboxes while bearings and seals. The main problem caused by micropitting
increasing power throughput capability. This has required all in gears is the wearing of the gear tooth. This wear changes
design components, including the gear oil, to improve their the shape of the gear tooth. When micropitting wear occurs on
performance capabilities. gears, the gear tooth shape is altered and this concentrates
the load over a smaller area and affects the accuracy of the
gears as they move through mesh. Illustrated by Figure A,
New Tooth Micropitting Wear this can lead to vibrations, noise, misalignment and an
Profile in the Addendum
increased chance of fatigue failure. Micropitting can also
lead to significant gear tooth wear called macropitting, as
illustrated in Figure B, which shows a series of macropits
emanating from a micropitted area of a gear tooth.
Pitch Line

Micropitting Wear
in the Dedendum

Over time representation of


increasing gear wear, noise and vibration

Figure A: Gear Tooth Wear Progression Through Micropitting Micropitting leads to Macropitting
Micropitted Area

* Photo cou rtesy of GEARTECH

Figure B: Micropitting Leading to Macropitting

Over →
When gears wear, the wear metal becomes a contaminant in
the oil. As these particles are circulated in a gearbox, they
can become impacted on gear and bearing surfaces. Known
as “debris dents”, they can alter the surface on bearing rolling
elements and races that, in turn, can lead to spalling. Figure C
shows the arrow head of a spall starting at a debris dent.

How Can I stop Micropitting?

Photo courtesy of GEARTECH (a U.S.-based


To control micropitting, end users can use gears and bearings
Debris with very smooth or “super-finished” surfaces, change
Dent equipment operating conditions or select a lubricant designed
to inhibit micropitting. Typically, the use of super-finished
gearbox components is reserved for only the most critical of
industrial operations. Changing operating conditions is often
gear consulting firm).

not a possibility. However, focusing on lube oil viscosity and


lubricant formulation are a practical approach.

Spall The selection of the appropriate viscosity grade is the first,


and most important, step in choosing a lubricant for any
Figure C: Debris Dent Leading to Macropit application. Simply increasing the ISO viscosity grade of the
oil is not necessarily preferred. Rather, selecting an oil with a
higher viscosity index, lower traction coefficient, or both
Through debris denting and subsequent fatigue failures, the should be considered. The higher viscosity index can provide
metal particles created from micropitting can shorten the life a thicker lubricant film under operating conditions. The lower
expectancy of the associated bearings used in a gear box. traction coefficient can help to reduce surface fatigue. Because
Based on current bearing life theory and data developed by of the high viscosity index and low traction coefficient, moving
ExxonMobil scientists, the hard debris particles generated by to a synthetic gear oil like the Mobilgear SHC XMP Series can
micropitting on gear teeth, could potentially decrease the life help control mircopitting.
of a bearing by more than 20%. Even with filtration, much of
the debris denting and related damage is caused before the In addition to viscosity and traction, the additive chemistry in
wear particles can be removed from the oil. In addition, this finished lubricants can have a dramatic effect on micropitting
debris can cause abrasive damage to seals, leading to leaks performance. For instance, it has been shown that certain
and contamination ingress. additives, especially conventional EP additives, can have a
negative effect on micropitting performance. Choosing an oil,
How Do I Identify Micropitting? like the Mobilgear 600 XP Series or Mobilgear SHC XMP, that
are specifically designed to give micropitting protection, will
Individual micropits are not visible to the unaided eye, however, reduce the risk of micropitting.
many micropits normally appear together resulting in a dull
matted area. On gear teeth, the tooth surface often must be Micropitting is clearly a major concern, especially for modern
illuminated from various angles to observe micropitting. It is gear systems. However, it is important to choose a lubricating
best to use intense direct lighting rather than diffuse fluorescent oil which does not address micropitting at the expense of
lighting. Figure D shows an example of a gear tooth with other properties. The oil must protect against micropitting
micropitting. while still giving good wear and scuffing protection, good
water separation, foam control and corrosion protection
Typical tooth face showing micropitting while maintaining compatibility with common seal materials.
Lubricants like the Mobilgear 600 XP and Mobilgear SHC XMP
Series have been designed to protect against micropitting
while balancing the formulations for long oil life and equipment
durability so users can increase their productivity.

Micropitting Coverage on tooth

www.mobil.com

© 2006 Exxon Mobil Corporation


® Mobil, the Mobil logo (with red O), the flying horse device, and Mobilgear are trademarks
Figure D: Observation of Micropitting of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

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