Analysis of Wear Particles in Lubricating Oil of Worm Gearbox Using Ferrography

Abstract

This paper aims to provide the ferrographic analysis of wear particles contained in Extreme pressure gear oil used in worm gearboxes. Working of worm gear box is simulated using an experimental test rig and oil analysis is carried out using Direct Reading (DR) Ferrography. The worm gearbox runs under normal operating conditions of load, speed and duration. DR Ferrography is one among the effective tool to analyze wear particles in lubricating oil. The analyses reveals that the wear particles indicate the performance of device based on wear particle concentration (WPC) and wear severity index (WSI) leading to the earliest advice of component breakdown and prevention of breakdown.