Chapter 15: Mechanical Testing

Mechanical tests are performed to evaluate the durability of gears under load. The chapter first discusses the processes involved in the computations of stress for test parameters of gear. Next, the chapter reviews the four areas of specimen characterization of a test program, namely dimensional, surface finish texture, metallurgical, and residual stress. The following section presents the tests that simulate gear action, namely the rolling contact fatigue test, the single-tooth fatigue test, the single-tooth single-overload test, and the single-tooth impact test. Finally, the chapter describes the test procedures for surface durability (pitting), root strength (bending), and scoring (or scuffing) testing.