Assessment and Modelling of Particulate Melon Shell Polyester Resin Impregnate for Composite Spur Gear Application

The use of polymer matrix gears is gaining popularity regarding adequate strength with weight reduction and better performance over the metallic gears, though the design requires extra thought and deviation from the norm. In this study, mechanical properties assessment of composite made of particulate Citrullus lanatus (melon) shell (PCLS) polyester resin impregnation for spur gear application is reported. The sample containing 5 wt% of PCLS was analyzed for its tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, bulk modulus and shear modulus. The experimental results obtained gave a tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, bulk modulus and shear modulus of 85.08 MPa, 2.59 GPa, 2.54 GPa and 0.97 GPa, respectively. A torque of 140 N-m was used to model the PCLS-based polymer spur gear in ANSYS environment. It was observed that PCLS reinforced polymer could be suitable for spur gear development under low loading conditions.