Load carrying capacity properties of fast biodegradable gear Lubricants

Different fast biodegradable gear lubricants from the market place were investigated with respect to their expected performance in gearboxes in comparison to a typical mineral oil. These were twin disk experiments on frictional behavior and film formation properties, gear investigations on wear, scuffing, micropitting and pining, synchromesh and disk clutch investigations on frictional behavior and endurance, experiments on seal compatibility and aging properties. It turned out that the fast biodegradable oils were in many aspects better than or equivalent to mineral oils. Critical points were seal compatibility and oil degradation by thermal oxidation.