Gearbox Burning vs Decolouration.

[AnyyRandom]

We are doing an engineering project, we need to fine an easy robust way to check for gear burning. At the plant we have found that when the gear goes in the sonic wash, it makes a mark simmilar to gear burning, and atm we don't have a way of distinquishing. Does anyone with a good knowlegde in this field have any ideas in which we could check for gear burning on transmissions or to simply check whether or not it is burning or decolouration?

We have unlimited facilities for testing, modeling, prototyping as long as budget isn't too steep.
If anyone has any ideas please post asap or PM as deadline is running slim.
thanks.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

How about a drop of solder or other material on the gear that melts or burns at a certain critical temperature?

 

[AnyyRandom]

thanks for ur imput, will look into it thnx, keep ideas coming please.

 

[brewnog]

What about these?

http://www.temperature-indicators.co.uk/acatalog/refrigeration_adhesive_indicator_strips_and_labels.html