Effect of Lubricant Additives on the Surface Fatigue Performance of Gear Oils

The effect of additive chemistry on the serface fatigue of gears was investigated using the FZG gear tester and fluids based on an API GL-5 grade oil. Surface fatigue lives were determined as a function of load and additive chemistry. At 1.52 GPa, the removal of the primary extreme pressure additive (EP) from the fully formulated gear oil decreased the fatigue life of gears slightly (4%), however, the removal of the primary antiwear additive (AW) decreased the fatigue life of gears significantly (83%). At 1.86 GPa, the removal of the EP additive from the fully formulated gear oil decresed the gear fatigue life 27%, however, the removal of the primary AW additive decreased the fatigue life of gears significantly (75%). Micropitting was the dominant surface morphology in the dedendum of gears tested With two oils at load stage: one using the complete additive package, and a second where the EP additive has been removed. However, spalling is the primary failure mode of gears tested without an AW additive independent of whether an EP agent was present. Surface analysis of pinion gears showed the formation of a mixed phosphate/phosphite-oxide layer on the surface of gears tested with fluids containing an AW. Formation of this layer seems to be key to long fatigue life.