Stainless Steel Gear Motors: A Materials Guide

Gears are a common component of modern machinery. They are typically found in motors, gearheads, and automation equipment. When choosing gears, knowing what materials work for which tasks is essential. In this blog, we’ll review some material options for gear motors.

The Basics

An alloy is a combination of metals or a metal combined with another element. For instance, steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Even more popular is stainless steel, an alloy of iron, chromium, nickel, chromium, and carbon. This material is an industrial favourite because of its resistance to corrosion, making it easy to clean and sterilize. Stainless steel gear motors are widely used in applications where strength and hygiene are essential. This is only one example of a specific material that is essential for a certain type of task.

What To Consider

Here are some things you should keep in mind when choosing a gear motor material. Consider your operation’s service conditions such as wear and noise. For example, bronze is preferred in manufacturing worm gears due to its wear resistance ability. On the other hand, carbon and stainless steel gear motors are popularly used because of their high strength. They are heat-treated to attain the right tooth hardness and toughness.

A major factor that affects gear design is hardness. The size and weight of the gear used can be further reduced with higher hardness. A gear set with greater hardness tends to be smaller and is more compact. It is also lighter in weight, but can still deliver the same amount of power. Higher hardness can also translate to surface durability. It means the ability of the gear motor to resist pitting or tooth surface failure. It is directly proportional to hardness.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your application may require, Bauer GMC offers a wide selection of gear materials and configuration. We have high quality stainless steel gear motors, as well as a range of materials to meet your company’s needs. Browse our product range or contact us today to get the best gear motor you need.