Steel Composition Effects on Grindability and Rolling Contact Fatigue Resistance of Bearing Steels

Measurements of the grindability of a bearing quality AISI 1070 steel show that it is far less susceptible to grinding burn than is AISI 52100 steel. Whereas the behavior in this respect of AISI 52100 steel has been shown to correlate well with Malkin’s thermal model, the behavior of the AISI 1070 material did not show such good correlation, even when the difference in thermal conductivity of the two materials was taken into account. It was shown, however, that the more empirically based model of Peters et al. could provide a useful prediction for AISI 1070 steel and subsequently also for the AISI 52100 steel. Rolling contact tests indicate that its fatigue resistance is as good as that of AISI 52100, so it would seem to merit serious consideration as a cheaper alternative material for mass produced bearings.