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Higher molybdenum gear steel outperforms rivals

05/11/2014

A newly-developed molybdenum-alloyed carburizing steel has outperformed existing gear steels without increasing alloy cost, in a study conducted by the German Institute for Machine Elements (FZG) in Munich, Germany, on behalf of the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA).

Modern gearboxes must deal with increasing load stresses while offering high reliability, requiring exceptionally strong, high performance steel. Combining alloying elements with heat treatment produces the optimal blend of high surface hardness and high base strength required for safe operation in large, highly-loaded gears.

Compared to the standard high-end gear steel grade (18CrNiMo7-6), the new steel contains slightly more carbon, twice the amount of molybdenum (0.55%) but only about half the addition of nickel (0.9%). The IMOA-sponsored study, conducted in association with a German special steel producer, found that hardenability and strength were greatly improved, with the new steel clearly outperforming all reference steel grades in two DIN standard benchmark tests. However there was no increase in alloy cost.

Dr Nicole Kinsman, IMOA Technical Director,said: “This superior performance means that gears made from this new grade could support either higher torque, or for equivalent loads, could be built smaller and lighter. Possible applications include wind turbines, heavy machinery, trucks and cars.”


General information for media

IMOA is a non profit trade association, representing the majority of the molybdenum industry worldwide. It works to raise awareness about the unique properties of molybdenum, its beneficial effects on materials performance, its safety in use and its contribution to sustainable development.

Molybdenum is added to alloy steels to improve strength, toughness, hardenability and weldability for numerous applications in the automotive, shipbuilding, construction, mining, chemical, oil & gas and energy generation industries. In stainless steels and superalloys, it improves corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance and finds uses in many industrial applications. It is also used in a variety of products from catalysts and lubricants to pigments and paint.

IMOA has a strict antitrust compliance policy which delegates of all meetings are required to observe. All such meetings are observed by legal counsel.

For more information please email the communications team at media@imoa.info.
For up-to-date information please follow IMOA on Twitter and LinkedIn.


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