Microstructure and Texture Evolution in Cold Rotary Forging of Spur Bevel Gears of 20CrMnTi Alloy Steel

Abstract

The microstructure of cold rotary forged gears greatly affects their working life. Therefore, the aim of this study is to reveal the evolution of microstructure and texture that occurs during the cold rotary forging of spur bevel gears of 20CrMnTi alloy steel. The evolution of grains of the gear tooth is investigated through optical microscopy. By employing scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction, the evolution of the cementite particles and the texture of the gear tooth is also revealed. The results indicate that the grain size distribution is non-uniform from the tooth profile to its center. The cementite particles in the tooth profile are finer and more uniformly distributed than those in the tooth center. After cold rotary forging, the tooth center has a combination of α- and γ-fibers, and the γ-fibers are more developed than the α-fibers, while most of the components in the tooth profile are assembled along the α-fibers.