CVT Fluid Development: Investigations of Friction Durability and Wear in a Push-belt Variator

This study focused on steel-on-steel friction and wear in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) that employ a push-belt design (PB-CVTs). The investigation considered commercial vehicles, represented by the Nissan Bluebird, along with a motored belt-box test that used the Ford P811 variator system. In addition, the authors employed the Falex block-on-ring bench test apparatus to measure both steel-on-steel friction and wear. The goal of the study was to investigate critical wear phenomena that occur in vehicle (field) use under severe conditions.