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Effects of water in wind turbine oils on the gear load capacity

  • Technical University of Munich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Besides mineral-based gear oils, an increasing number of synthetic gear oils, e.g., polyalphaolefins, are found in wind turbine gear boxes. Water may condensate in the gear housing and can contaminate the lubricating oil. This may alter the lubricant performance and reduce the lifetime of the components. Gear running tests show different effects of water contaminated lubricants on different types of gear damages. Lubricant related gear failures that are typical for critical lubricating conditions showed no reduction of the gear load capacity. In contrast, test runs at higher lubricating film thickness showed a negative influence on the pitting load carrying capacity. There might be an increased risk of early pitting damages due hydrogen-induced stress corrosion cracking when unsolved water is available. This correlated with documented formation of pitting damages in tests with and without water contamination. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 2012 STLE Annual Meeting and Exhibition (St Louis, MO 5/6-10/2012).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSociety of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2012
Pages459-461
Number of pages3
StatePublished - 2012
EventSociety of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2012 - St. Louis, MO, United States
Duration: 6 May 201210 May 2012

Publication series

NameSociety of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2012

Conference

ConferenceSociety of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt. Louis, MO
Period6/05/1210/05/12

Keywords

  • Contacts: Contact mechanics
  • Gears: Gears (general)
  • Maintenance: Water contamination

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