Life Prediction of Spur Gear Under Fully Reversed Loading Using Total Life Approach and Crack-Initiation Method in FEM

Abstract

This paper focus on the comparative fatigue life prediction of spur gears based on finite element method under fully reversed load conditions. Gears being the vital components of any automobiles, power generation systems and in heavy machinery industries, need to have good fatigue properties such as fatigue life, endurance limit and fatigue strength for better life and performance of the equipment or machinery. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to simulate fully reversed loading conditions in the fatigue life prediction on general gear materials, SAE materials like ALSI4027, SAE1045-450-QT, SAED 5506 and SAE5160-825-QT. The finite element method (FEM) has been performed on the gear models to observe the distribution of stress and damage. A comparison was made on the fatigue life and the results were analyzed. Finally, conclusions were given.