AGMA 99FTM14 PDF

The mechanism by which failures occur due to material defects is often circuitous and not readily apparent. In this case study, the authors examine the failure of a medium-sized pinion used in a mining application. The mode of failure was rather catastrophic in nature but did not follow any of the typically understood mechanisms such as tooth bending, surface distress, wear, etc. This paper presents a summary of the failure, its investigation and the methods proposed for its resolution.