Recent Advances in Spline Couplings Reliability

Abstract

Spline couplings are mechanical components widely used to transmit torque between rotating parts. Although they are well known components, critical issues such as wear damage and un haven loads affect them especially when working in misaligned conditions. Wear damage appears on engaging teeth bringing to component failures. The main way to reduce wear damage is to lubricate the engaging teeth or to apply surface coatings. In this work wear damage on spline coupling was investigated and a compound made of grease added with graphene has been tested against standard lubricants in order to find out if it may improve the wear strength of these components. Experimental tests were performed by means of both standard testing machine provided by a particular testing device and dedicated test rig, designed to perform tests with misaligned spline couplings. Preliminary results show that the presence of graphene improves the grease performance, reducing the coefficient of friction (bringing to a reduction of uneven overloads and wear).