生分解性プラスチック歯車の研究

抄録

Presently, we often hear the phrase "plastics friendly to the global environment", and that a biodegradable plastic is being developed. However, no case has been reported up to now of mechanical parts being made of such plastics. Therefore, focusing the characteristics of this plastic, we have carried out a study to utilize this plastic for gears. In the study, first, biodegradable plastic gears were formed by injection molding similarly to commercial plastic gears, and their operation tests were carried out to investigate operating life, wear of teeth, tooth profile change, and tooth surface roughness. The results were compared with those of commonly used polyacetal gears, and the practicability of biodegradable plastic gears was examined.