Selecting the right gear material is critical to system reliability, efficiency, and service life. High-load applications often require hardened alloy steels such as EN24 or EN36, while wet or marine environments demand corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel 316 or phosphor bronze PB2. In many cases, combining materials – such as a hardened steel worm with a PB2 bronze wheel – provides the optimal balance between wear resistance, friction performance, and environmental durability.