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What Are Gears Usually Made of in Gear Manufacturing?

Think of a gear. Any gear will do. What kind of material is the gear made of? If you’re like most people, you probably imagined some kind of metal, but the reality is, gears can be made from all kinds of different materials. Depending on the shape and nature of the gear, as well as its final application, gear manufacturers will choose one of a practically unlimited number of different materials to create the finished product.

So how, exactly, do manufacturers make these decisions?

Criteria for Gear Materials

First, you have to consider the core “necessities” for most gear materials:

  • High tensile strength. If you use a material with a low or insufficient tensile strength, you could experience a failure when dealing with static loads. Static loads exert a consistent amount of force over time.
  • High endurance. If you use a material will low or insufficient endurance, you could experience a failure when dealing with dynamic loads. Dynamic loads change pressure or force over time.
  • Low friction coefficient. Because gears are moving parts in a complex system, they need to be made of materials that aren’t particularly susceptible to the effects of friction.
  • Manufacturability. Finally, the material needs to be malleable and capable of being manipulated. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to cut the gear!

Common Materials Used in Gear Manufacturing

There’s an endless number of different materials that can be used to create gears, but as a general rule, cast iron, steel, brass, bronze and plastic are the most common materials used for gears with cut teeth. Ultimately, the type of material we use for a gear depends on the type of gear and its eventual application. If you’re interested in learning more, or if you have a custom gear order you’re ready to place, be sure to contact us!

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