Polishing Wear of Gears

Polishing wear is characterized by a mirror-like finish of the gear teeth. Polishing is caused by antiscuff additives t hat are too chemically reactive. An excessive reaction rate, coupled with continuous removal of surface films by very fine abrasive particles in the lubricant, may result in excessive polishing wear. The following guidelines should be observed to prevent polishing wear in gearsets:

• Use less chemically active antiscuff additives such as borate.

• Remove abrasives from the lubricant by using fine filtration or by frequent oil changes.