Experimental and numerical analysis of laminated carbon fibre-reinforced polymer gears with implicit model for coefficient-of-friction evaluation

Abstract Laminated composites have so far received little attention as a potential material for gear drive applications. In the presented study, thermomechanical performance of newly developed type epoxy impregnated, autoclave-cured carbon fibre-reinforced polymer gear—running in pair with steel pinion—was analysed, using combination experimental and numerical approaches. The employed methods enabled identification composite’s mechanical, thermal, tribological characteristics, related to studied application. A proposed, finite-element-analysis-based iterative procedure an implicit evaluation analysed pair’s coefficient friction (COF), which is key parameter determining characteristics. For considered pair, value 0.34 was identified quasi-steady region. As strongly correlated frictional heat generation significantly affects surface shear stress, it can consequently meaningful influence on wear rate. COF validated reciprocating cylinder-on-flat test method. composite gear’s service life additionally tested at various running loads, resulting pitch contact pressures ranging between 400 540 MPa. Lifetime results showed markedly superior compared high-temperature thermoplastic polyether ether ketone, typically most demanding Several are proposed that could further improve gears’ performance.