Abstract
Aerosol lubrication has been most fully exploited in the field of rolling element bearings, notably for rolling mills but also in other machinery. The paper describes the application of an aerosol system to a power-transmission gearbox.
The aerosol equipment was fitted to one gearbox of a 5-in-centres back-to-back rig so that either conventional sprays or the aerosol could be used. Involute test gears were made in through-hardened and nitrided case-hardened steels.
Under aerosol lubrication the following points were noted: (1) because of the lower cooling capacity of the aerosol, operating temperatures were much higher than under spray lubrication; (2) the through-hardened gears failed by scuffing when their bulk temperature reached 90°C; (3) for the same temperature rise the nitrided gears transmitted 2·3 times the power, and operated at higher temperatures and powers without damage; and (4) no reduction could be detected in losses, suggesting that the losses attributable to churning of excess sprayed lubricant are balanced by an increase in tooth friction with aerosol.
The experiments showed that power transmission gearing can be successfully lubricated by an aerosol, especially if the tooth surfaces are protected by nitriding.
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