Performance Evaluation of Plasma-Nitrided Chain Sprockets Through Experimental Wear Testing and Dimensional Analysis

B B Prajapati; T K Kandiya

doi:10.69980/redvet.v24i4.2520

B B Prajapati Lecturer in automobile Dept, Government Polytechnic, Ahmedabad.
T K Kandiya Lecturer in Automobile Department, Government Polytechnic, Ahmedabad.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.69980/redvet.v24i4.2520

Keywords: Plasma nitriding, Chain sprockets, Wear resistance, Surface hardness, Abrasive wear, Dimensional stability, Surface modification, Carbonitriding, Nitrocarburizing, Chain–sprocket wear testing

Abstract

Chain sprockets experience friction, abrasive wear, contact fatigue, and dimensional deterioration during continuous power transmission, which can reduce transmission efficiency and service life. This study evaluates the wear behaviour of plasma-nitrided chain sprockets in comparison with untreated, carbonitrided, and nitrocarburized specimens using a motor-driven chain–sprocket test rig. The sprockets had 43 teeth, a 12.7 mm chain pitch, a 181 mm diameter, and a 7.2 mm thickness; wear, surface hardness, pitch variation, chain elongation, and treatment cost were assessed. After 1,000 km of operation, the plasma-nitrided sprocket exhibited tooth-wear values of 0.006 mm and 0.004 mm, compared with 0.084 mm and 0.008 mm for the untreated sprocket, corresponding to an approximately 89.13% reduction in mean wear. Surface hardness increased from 236.67 BHN to 324.72 BHN, representing an improvement of about 37.20%, while no measurable pitch change was observed after testing. These results indicate that plasma nitriding substantially improves sprocket wear resistance and dimensional stability, although confirmation of actual service-life extension requires further cumulative wear measurements, repeat testing, and a defined failure criterion.

Author Biography

B B Prajapati , Lecturer in automobile Dept, Government Polytechnic, Ahmedabad.

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