As we all know, the sprocket plays an essential role in the realization of the functions of various industrial machines. The best practical application of industrial machines is inseparable from high-quality accessories, which is the guarantee that the mechanical properties of industrial machines can be fully utilized. Combined with practical applications, it is necessary to choose good industrial accessories to provide a strong guarantee for achieving good quality. It can be seen from this that the sprocket is an important part of many mechanical equipment. Its function and application have been well practiced in its popularization and application, but a good sprocket cannot be separated from high-quality sprocket materials. The importance of material to the sprocket is self-evident, so what should users pay attention to when choosing the material of the sprocket?
Usually, the sprocket is mainly made of 40Mn, 40Mn2, 45Mn, and 45# steel. The specific choice of the sprocket material depends on the actual use requirements.
As the material of the sprocket, it generally needs to meet the following requirements: 1) strength; 2) wear resistance; 3) impact resistance
Selection principle of sprocket material:
1) The sprocket material should meet the strength and wear resistance requirements. In low speed, light load or smooth transmission, the sprocket can be made of low and medium carbon steel;
2) When there is no severe impact at medium speed and medium load, medium carbon steel is used for quenching treatment, and the hardness of the tooth surface is HRC>40~45;
3) For high-speed, heavy-duty or continuous-duty transmissions, the surface of low-carbon alloy steel is carburized and quenched or the surface of medium-carbon alloy steel is quenched. When the speed is low, the load is light and the number of teeth is large, it is also allowed to use a cast iron sprocket not lower than HT150.
4) Since the number of engagements of the small sprocket is more than that of the large sprocket, the material requirements are also higher than that of the large sprocket. When the large sprocket is made of cast iron, the small sprocket is usually made of steel.
For leaf sprockets that do not require heat treatment, they can be made of Q235, Q345 (16Mn), or 10, 20 steel. Generally, the hardness is below HBl40, which is suitable for medium speed, medium power and large sprocket processing. Sprockets that require heat treatment are generally processed with 45 steel, 45 forged steel, 45 cast steel or 4OCr steel, which are suitable for the processing of driving and driven sprockets that are matched with high-strength chains in important occasions with large forces. Cast iron sprockets are mainly used in sprockets that do not require high precision or complex shapes, such as ring sprockets.
