Plastic gears vs metal gears, (also metal spur gear VS plastic) selecting gear material is always tricky for most people for their applications. Everyone always wishes to choose the gear material that proves to be a seamless option.
However, if you need clarification about choosing between plastic gear vs. metal gear, you must go through this guide below, and you will learn many things that will make you invest in plastic gear due to its exemplary benefits.
So, let’s read below.
Differences in Mechanical Performance and Manufacturing Processes
Whether it is Metal VS Plastic spur gear, or steel spur gear vs plastic, Important differences affect user decisions；
- Plastic Gears Mechanical Performance: Low density, high toughness, and self-lubricating, ideal for light loads and quiet operation.
- Plastic Gears Manufacturing Processes: Primarily produced through injection molding, compression molding, and CNC machining, enabling fast production and suitability for mass manufacturing.
- Metal Gears Mechanical Performance: High strength, hardness, and dimensional stability, suitable for heavy loads and harsh working conditions.
- Metal Gears Manufacturing Processes: Manufactured via forging, casting, machining, and heat treatment to achieve high precision and durability, with higher per-unit production costs.
plastic gears
Plastic Gears Vs. Metal Gears
To decide which gear to choose, you must understand how plastic gears vs. metal gears differs. There are many aspects that make them different from one another, and some of these may include the following:
Material of the Gears
- Custom plastic gears are usually made of different kinds of plastics, including acetal, polyethylene, nylon, and others.
- On the other hand, metal gears are made out of brass, steel, or aluminum.
Strength of the Gear
- Plastic gears lack strength and the capacity to handle the load; hence, they may get deformed in case of heavy loads.
- Metal gears are robust and durable and, hence, can handle heavy loads without any deformation.
Cost of Gear
- Plastic gears are far more affordable because they take less investment in production.
- Metal gears are expensive because of the cost involved in their raw material and machining process for manufacturing.
Weight of the Gear
- The plastic gears are quite light in weight.
- Metal gears are heavier, and applications that are weight-sensitive may cause a concern to choose them.
Corrosion and Rust on the Gear
- Plastic gears are resistant to corrosion and rust and may be suitable for applications subjected to chemical exposure and moisture.
- On the other hand, metal gears need coatings to ensure they resist corrosion and rust.
Operating Temperature
- Plastic gears are temperature sensitive and may deform when subjected to higher temperatures; hence, they can handle only limited temperature ranges.
- Metal gears are capable of operating in temperature ranges which are high without any deformation.
Noise Production
- Plastic gears produce very little noise when they are operating.
- Metal gears make more noise, especially when operating under heavy load.
Durability
- Plastic gears have a shorter lifespan, so they tend to wear out more quickly.
- Metal gears are durable and may resist wear and tear in the long run.
Precision
- Plastic gears cannot offer high levels of precision and accuracy, and hence, applications that need tight tolerance levels may not find them suitable.
- On the other hand, metal gears are suitable for such applications that need precise motion.
Advantages of Plastic Gear
Some of the benefits of opting for a plastic gear are discussed below:
Weight of Gear
Generally, the weight of metal is always more than the weight of plastic; hence, a plastic gear may help improve the application’s performance due to lower weight as less pressure is applied.
Noise and Vibrations
Metal is meant to make noise during vibrations, but when it comes to plastic, it doesn’t make any gears and instead absorbs the vibrations well. Hence, if you choose a plastic gear, you can rest assured that it won’t produce any vibration noise that appears unpleasant to the ears.
Improved Lubrication
Plastic is a material that can self-lubricate; it has lower friction and also doesn’t wear out quickly. However, there is a need to lubricate metal every now and then, and high friction may cause a hassle to the overall application.
Less Maintenance Requirements
Plastic gears are far more convenient than metal ones. Also, the wear and tear is less; you do not need to lubricate and look after it. All this leads to lesser maintenance requirements and a better outcome.
Affordable Option
Plastic gears are highly affordable because of the lesser cost of raw materials and low machining requirements. Hence, their overall manufacturing cost is far less than the metal ones, and therefore, they prove being affordable.
Resistant to Corrosion
Plastic gears do not corrode; nor do they rust. Hence, when used in environments subjected to moisture or exposure to chemicals, these gears can be of great ease because they will stay the same.
Advantages of Metal Gears
Metal gears offer a range of advantages, particularly in mechanical transmission and industrial applications. Below are their key benefits:
High Strength and Durability
Metal gears, made from materials such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminum alloy, exhibit exceptional strength, allowing them to withstand heavy loads and high-impact forces, making them ideal for heavy-duty machinery and high-stress environments.
Excellent Wear Resistance
After heat treatment (e.g., quenching or carburizing), the surface hardness of metal gears significantly increases, reducing friction and wear, which prolongs their service life.
Thermal and Chemical Stability
Compared to plastic gears, metal gears perform better in high-temperature environments and are less susceptible to chemical corrosion or deformation.
Precision Transmission
Metal gears are manufactured with high precision and stable tooth profiles, ensuring efficient power transmission and smooth, accurate operation of machinery.
Impact Resistance and Fatigue Strength
Metal gears can endure long-term high-speed operations and frequent load variations without experiencing fatigue failure or breakage.
Wide Range of Applications
Metal gears are widely used in various industrial fields, including automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, power generation, and precision instruments, meeting the demands of diverse complex applications.
Repairability
Metal gears can be repaired through processes such as welding, grinding, or re-heat treatment in the event of damage, whereas plastic gears typically require full replacement when damaged.
Zhongde Capabilities with Plastic Gear
When comparing plastic gears to metal gears, plastic often proves to be the better option. Whether considering factors like cost, weight, maintenance requirements, or other key aspects, plastic generally outperforms metal.
Zhongde offers a seamless collection of plastic gears suitable for almost all applications. These plastic gears may fit in multiple industries to cater to the concerns that call for low-noise, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant gears.
There are multiple sizes and material grades when customizing your gear. You can always count on the excellence of the quality of these gears and the materials they are made out of. We even offer to cater to manufacturing plastic gears in a relatively shorter lead time.
