High Quality Customized Stainless Steel Worm Gears

Materials Used to Make Worm Gears
Worm gears are used for gear reduction, and they can achieve reduction ratios ranging from 20:1 to 300:1. This amount of stress placed on worm gear assemblies requires metals that are capable of withstanding the reduced speeds or increased torque. They are normally made of steel, iron, or bronze with a harder more durable metal used for the shaft of the worm.
The original worm gears were made of wood and were part of a hand crank mechanism used in shipbuilding. With the advancement of technology and metallurgy, modern worm gears are made of sturdier and more durable materials.
Materials Used to Make Worm gears
Bronze
Bronze is typically used to make the worm wheel due to its significant mechanical properties. The metal bronze is an alloy of copper and varies depending on the other alloys combined with the copper, which can be nickel, zinc, tin, or aluminum. Typical worm wheels are made of tin bronze or aluminum bronze due to their strength and resistance to fatigue, friction, and wear.
Brass
Much like bronze, brass is used to make the wheel gear; it is a softer metal and prevents wear on the shaft of the worm gear. The brass worm gear configuration is used for light loads since brass can only endure lower load amounts.
Steel
Though there are steel worm gears and worm wheels, the usual configuration is a steel worm gear with a bronze or brass worm wheel. Steel is used for its durability, tensile strength, and longevity. The steel worm gear and steel worm wheel combination are more expensive and require extensive time and effort to repair when they fail.
Plastic
Plastic worm gears are used for extremely light loads such as automotive components and robotics. When paired with metal worms, they have a quieter performance and do not require lubrication. Plastic worm gears are lightweight and resistant to corrosion and chemicals.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel worm gears are made of 303 and 316 grade stainless steel. They are ideal for damp and wet conditions since they do not rust or corrode. They are normally used in conditions where cleanliness is a necessity such as food and beverage manufacturing. They are easy to clean and have smooth surfaces and exceptional durability.