Gear steel is a general term for steel that can be used to process and manufacture gears. Gear steel usually has good strength, hardness and toughness after heat treatment as required, or the surface is wear-resistant, and the core has good toughness and impact resistance.
Comprehensive Overview
Gear steels are engineered to withstand the rigorous demands of mechanical applications, particularly in automotive and industrial machinery. The primary alloying elements in gear steels, such as carbon (C), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), play crucial roles in defining their characteristics. Carbon content typically ranges from 0.15% to 0.25%, providing hardness and strength, while chromium and nickel contribute to toughness and resistance to wear and fatigue.
The most significant characteristics of gear steel include:
- High Strength and Hardness: Essential for load-bearing applications.
- Excellent Wear Resistance: Reduces the rate of material loss during operation.
- Good Toughness: Prevents brittle failure under impact loads.
Advantages:
- Enhanced Durability: Gear steels are designed to endure high-stress conditions, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications.
- Versatile Heat Treatment: They can be heat-treated to achieve desired mechanical properties, allowing for customization based on specific application requirements.
Limitations:
- Cost: Alloying elements can increase production costs compared to standard carbon steels.
- Weldability: Some gear steels may have limited weldability due to their alloy content, necessitating careful selection of welding processes and filler materials.
Historically, gear steels have played a vital role in the development of machinery, enabling advancements in automotive and industrial sectors. Their market position remains strong, with ongoing innovations in alloy compositions and heat treatment processes to enhance performance.
Alternative Names, Standards, and Equivalents
| Standard Organization | Designation/Grade | Country/Region of Origin | Notes/Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNS | Gears 8620 | USA | Closest equivalent to AISI 8620 |
| AISI/SAE | 8620 | USA | Commonly used for gears and shafts |
| ASTM | A3042 | USA | Specification for gear steels |
| EN | 20MnCr5 | Europe | Similar properties, minor compositional differences |
| DIN | 1.6523 | Germany | Equivalent to AISI 8620 |
| JIS | SNCM220 | Japan | Comparable with slight variations in alloying elements |
The table above highlights various standards and equivalents for gear steel. Notably, while grades like AISI 8620 and EN 20MnCr5 are often considered equivalent, subtle differences in composition can influence performance characteristics, particularly in terms of hardenability and toughness.
Typical Applications and End Uses
| Industry/Sector | Specific Application Example | Key Steel Properties Utilized in this Application | Reason for Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive | Transmission Gears | High strength, wear resistance | Essential for durability under load |
| Aerospace | Gearboxes | Toughness, fatigue resistance | Critical for safety and performance |
| Industrial Machinery | Conveyor Systems | Wear resistance, impact strength |
Ensures longevity in harsh environments |
If you want to learn more about GNEE's products, you can send an email to alloy@gneesteelgroup.com. We are more than happy to assist you.
GNEE STEEL mainly supply the round steel bar and steel wire rod for gear production as below:
Meanwhile, wire rod size is 5.5～23, and round bar size is 12-400mm
The mainly grade of Gear steel are :
Grade |
Standard |
|
SAE8620-1,SAE4320H |
ASTM A29/A29M |
|
C10E, C10R, C15E, C15R, C16E, C16R |
EN0084 |
|
SCM415,SCM418,SCM420,SCM421, |
JIS G4053 |
|
C10, C15E4, C15M2, C18, C20, C20E4, C20M2, |
ISO 683-18 |
