Experimental analysis of propagation of fatigue crack on gears

Gears of different sizes and with different systems of loading are indispensable components of machines and devices. When optimizing such gear assemblies, one of the most important parameters is their required service life. To calculate the service life as precisely and reliably as possible, researchers need to use the required mathematical models for describing loading, the geometry, properties of materials and fracture mechanics parameters. The accuracy and reliability of the gear model assemblies can be compared only with appropriate experimental results. To this end, the authors have used and developed a series of methods and test pieces. A comparison of results has shown that the models and approaches are adequate.