Abstract
Abstract
This chapter summarizes the various kinds of gear wear and failure and how gear life in service is estimated and discusses the kinds of flaws in material that may lead to premature gear fatigue failure. The topics covered are alignment, gear tooth, surface durability and breakage of gear tooth, life determined by contact stress and bending stress, analysis of gear tooth failure by breakage after pitting, and metallurgical flaws that reduce the life of gears. The chapter briefly reviews some components in the design and structure of each gear and/or gear train that must be considered in conjunction with the teeth to enhance fatigue life.