Proposes a new meshing stiffness method integrating viscoelasticity in PEEK-metal gears, suggesting improvements in dynamic prediction accuracy.
Purpose Traditional time-varying meshing stiffness models for polymer gears ignore viscoelasticity, leading to inaccurate material response under alternating stress and limited dynamic prediction accuracy. This paper aims to propose a viscoelasticity-integrated meshing stiffness method for PEEK-metal gears and clarify temperature’s influence on meshing stiffness. Design/methodology/approach A generalized Maxwell model characterizes PEEK viscoelasticity. The constitutive relation is integrated into stiffness calculation via the micro-element method and viscoelastic correspondence principle. ANSYS finite element models are established, and analytical/FE methods are cross-validated. Temperature effects (25°C–120°C) are analyzed. Findings Analytical/FE error is 5%–8% with consistent trends. PEEK’s modulus decreases by 32%–40% in 25°C–120°C, reducing stiffness peaks by 7%–26% and fluctuations by 14%–21%. Viscoelasticity causes stiffness curve flattening, and metal gear square-wave models are unsuitable for plastic gears. Originality/value This reveals temperature’s mechanism via viscoelasticity, improving plastic gear theory. It provides theoretical support for polymer transmission system analysis, vibration suppression and optimization, guiding subsequent PEEK-metal gear research. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2025-0395/
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