What are Plastic and Composite Gears?

Plastic and composite gears are lightweight, silent and corrosion-resistant gear types produced as an alternative to traditional metal gears. These gears, produced from polymer-based materials, are preferred especially in applications requiring low to medium loads due to their wear resistance and low friction advantages.

Areas of Use:

Automotive: Used in low torque applications such as window lifters, seat mechanisms, air duct guidance systems.
Medical Devices: Preferred in MRI and X-ray machines, biomedical devices due to their silent and non-magnetic structure.
Home Appliances: Used in coffee machines, food processors and vacuum cleaners for their light and silent operation.
Power Tools: Used in the internal mechanisms of devices such as drills and saws.
Aerospace and Defense: Used in systems requiring low weight and special durable composite materials.

Features:

Lightness: It has a much lower density compared to metal, which reduces the total weight of the system.
Low Noise and Friction: It operates quieter than metal gears and requires less lubrication.

Corrosion Resistance: It is resistant to factors such as moisture, chemicals and salt water.

Low Cost: It costs less than metal in mass production.

Electrical Insulation: Since it is not electrically conductive, it is safe in systems requiring electrical insulation.

Materials Used:

Thermoplastics:

• POM (Polyacetal): It offers high wear resistance and low coefficient of friction.
• PA (Polyamide – Nylon): It is durable, flexible and has high chemical resistance.
• PEEK (Polyetheretherketone): It is used in heavy conditions thanks to its high temperature and chemical resistance.

Composite Materials:

• Fiber Reinforced Polymers (Glass fiber, carbon fiber): It can be as strong as metal but much lighter.
• PTFE (Teflon) Additive Materials: It provides extra efficiency with its friction reducing feature.
• Plastic and composite gears are increasingly preferred in modern industry due to their light, silent and durable structures.