PEEK replaces metal in car transmission gears

Plastic gears molded from Vestakeep polyetheretherketone (PEEK) produced by Evonik are reportedly being used for the first time in automotive transmissions
.
To replace metal gears, Evonik has developed a PEEK molding compound whose tribological properties and durability can withstand the harsh environment of internal combustion engines
.
The part is produced by IMS Gear SE & Co KGaA and is used in various models by Mercedes-Benz
.

Mass balancers ensure smooth operation of internal combustion engines by reducing vibrations caused by pistons to surrounding structures
.
The gears of the mass balancer are in contact with the engine oil and, therefore, are exposed to temperatures of up to 130°C
.
So far, only metal gears have been used in this environment
.

With Vestakeep PEEK 5000 G, Evonik offers a high-resistance and high-performance material to replace these metal gears
.
In addition to the required shock absorption, plastic gears have a high mechanical and tribological stress resistance
.
They have lower friction losses and are noticeably quieter than traditional metal gears
.
In addition, the lower mass moment of inertia saves energy
.
Finally, gears made of Vestake PEEK are manufactured by injection molding, which is inexpensive and eliminates the extensive rework required when using metal
.

By using its own gear test platform, Evonik supports development activities in close coordination with customers
.
"We can generate specific material data for the optimal design of gears made of high-performance plastics," said Philipp Kilian, head of tribology development for high-performance polymers at Evonik.
testing in-house, including in dry and lubricated conditions
.
”

According to Steffen Kanzler, who is responsible for Vestakeep in the transportation sector, the use of high-performance plastics under the difficult conditions of mass-balanced transport is another step in the success of the material
.
"Here we have demonstrated the extraordinary performance of Vestakeep
.
These are also suitable for other challenging applications and we are the right development partner for new projects
.
Our customers are well supported, from material selection and computer-aided simulations, to our The technical implementation of the application technology team
.
”