Metric Gear
Materials Guide

The most widely used material for metric gears. KHK USA stocks thousands of steel gear configurations for immediate shipment — ideal for high-load, general-purpose power transmission applications.

Ideal for food processing, medical, and marine applications where corrosion resistance is critical. KHK USA offers stainless steel gears in multiple grades for demanding environments.

Plastic metric gears are ideal for light-duty, low-noise applications. They operate without lubrication and are resistant to corrosion — perfect for food processing, medical, and consumer equipment.

Non-ferrous gear materials include aluminum, brass, and bronze alloys. These materials are chosen for their excellent corrosion resistance, conductivity properties, and suitability for precision applications.

Cast iron gears offer excellent vibration damping and self-lubricating properties. Commonly used in slow-speed, high-load applications where noise reduction is important.

Alloy steel gears deliver superior strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance for demanding power transmission. Used extensively in robotics, aerospace, and heavy equipment applications.

Carbon steel gears provide excellent strength and wear resistance for heavy-duty industrial applications. Available in multiple carbon grades to match your specific load and hardness requirements.

A combined category covering plastic and non-ferrous gear materials including nylon, acetal, and aluminum. These materials offer unique combinations of lightweight, corrosion resistance, and low friction.

Stainless 303 offers excellent machinability while maintaining corrosion resistance. A preferred choice for precision metric gears requiring tight tolerances and smooth surface finish.

Bronze and brass gears excel in applications requiring low friction, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with steel worm gears. Widely used in marine, valve, and instrumentation applications.