Effects of thrust washer bearing surface characteristics on planetary gear train wear

Thrust washers in spur planetary gears are placed between the planet wheel and planet carrier and act as spacers and wear pads. Metal to metal sliding contact between the planet wheel – washer – carrier causes frictional power losses that, combined with starved lubrication, may cause high contact temperatures and thermo-mechanical effects that potentially trigger thermo-elastic instabilities and excessive local wear. The planetary gear system would benefit from a low-friction interface between the washer and the planet wheel. Five washers with different surface treatments were tested in a full-scale gear rig. These tests were also replicated as closely as possible in a pin-on-disc tribometer. The following types of finishing material treatments were studied: a chemical nickel coating plus polymer on a nitro-carburised surface, a combination of nitro-carburization and solid lubricant layers, electroless deposited chemical nickel coating plus polymer, nitro-carburizing, and manganese phosphating. The frictional results indicate that tribometer tests can be used to compare and classify new washer materials. Lab scale tests show that a new experimental self-lubricating tribomaterial that was applied with laser cladding has a promising potential to increase planetary gear train robustness and service life, especially if the surface is fine grinded. •A system approach can assist full-scale gearbox testing using a tribometer.•Tribometer tests can screen materials before full-scale gearbox testing.•Tribometer tests at dry conditions provide information of the washers' robustness.•A new laser cladded self-lubricating material may be a robust washer material.