Title: Experimental surface contact fatigue failure analysis of a hypoid pinion used in differential system of a truck

Authors: Osman Asi

Addresses: Engineering Faculty, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Usak University, 64200, Usak, Turkey

Abstract: This paper presents a failure analysis of a hypoid pinion used in differential system of a truck. The hypoid pinion had been in service about two years when several teeth failed. An evaluation of the failed hypoid pinion was undertaken to assess its integrity. This included a visual examination, photo documentation, chemical analysis, micro-hardness measurement and metallographic examination. The failure zones were examined with the help of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with EDX facility. Results indicate that the teeth of the hypoid pinion failed by destructive pitting and severe spalling because of overloading.

Keywords: hypoid pinions; severe spalling; destructive pitting; overloading; surface contact fatigue; failure analysis; differential systems; trucks; hypoid pinion teeth.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2011.037962

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2011 Vol.18 No.1, pp.104 - 114

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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