Failure modes, mechanisms and causes of shafts in mechanical equipment

Shafts are core mechanical components of equipment. These play a key role in supporting the rotating device and transmitting motion, torque, or bending moment. The quality and performance of shafts are of high significance for the normal and safe operation of the equipment. Failure analysis is of high significance for the safe operation of mechanical equipment and accident prevention. By identifying the modes and causes of failure, effective measures can be proposed to improve the service life of shafts and eliminate potential accidents. In this work, failure analysis cases reported for shafts in the past 20 years are reviewed. Typical failure modes including fracture, corrosion, wear, and deformation failures are summarized. Fatigue fracture is the most common failure mechanism of shafts owing to the influence of cyclic loads on shafts under normal working conditions. The fatigue failure characteristics, environmental factors, wear fatigue, and causes of fatigue failure of shafts are described in detail. The objective of this review is to provide systematic failure analysis information of shafts and thereby, aid engineering communities to identify the failure mechanisms of shafts under different conditions.

Automated summary

Shafts are critical components in equipment, playing a key role in supporting and transmitting motion. Failure analysis is important for safe operation and accident prevention. This review examines failure analysis cases for shafts in the past 20 years, summarizing common failure modes such as fracture and wear, and detailing the characteristics and causes of fatigue failure.