Near-Race Ultrasonic Inspection of Tapered Roller Bearing Components for Non-Metallic Defects

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Koester ◽  
Joseph A. Turner ◽  
Craig Zuhlke ◽  
Dennis Alexander ◽  
Brent Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Rolling Contact Fatigue ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Roller Bearing ◽  
Contact Fatigue ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Bearing Steel ◽  
Rolling Contact ◽  
Premature Failure ◽  
Scanning Method

Bearing steel cleanliness is directly linked to failures caused by the interaction of subsurface defects and rolling contact fatigue (RCF). Optical analysis of as-received steel coupled with ultrasonic inspection on finished components minimizes the occurrence of defects in the near race. While useful as a preventative measure, these methods do not ensure that critical areas of components subjected to RCF are free of defects that act as stress concentrators and contribute to premature failure. This presentation provides a brief summary of the current technology and standards utilized in the industry. The deficiencies of the current methods for the particular case at hand are identified and a surface wave scanning method is introduced. The development and production of reference parts for this type of scanning are then discussed. The production method entails both traditional electro-discharge machining (EDM) and femtosecond laser machining (FLM) on finished bearing components such that the reference part microstructure resembles that of a finished part. Experimental results utilizing surface wave scanning are given for two types of assembly-ready bearing components that are then subjected to realistic service loads and mileage to the point of failure. The results of the service life simulations are then correlated with surface wave scanning results and are shown to be in good agreement. This work is anticipated to impact any field in which components are subjected to RCF.

Paper 4: Study of the Effect of Material Combination and Hardness in Rolling Contact

1965 ◽  
Vol 180 (11) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Scott ◽  
J. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Rolling Contact Fatigue ◽  
Contact Fatigue ◽  
Bearing Steel ◽  
Rolling Contact ◽  
Material Combination ◽  
Premature Failure ◽  
Contact Fatigue Life ◽  
En 31 ◽  
Steel Balls

Because of uneven stressing, environment, or lubricant effects, one element of a rolling mechanism may be prone to premature failure, and it has been found in some instances that the seemingly easy solution of replacing the element with one manufactured in a superior material has not been successful. By means of the simple rolling four-ball test, the effect of the combination of material in rolling contact has been studied. The effect on the incidence of rolling-contact fatigue of running different materials such as high-speed tool steels, stainless steels, and other wear resistant materials potentially suitable for rolling elements against one another and against conventional En 31 ball-bearing steel has been explored. The effect of various hardness combinations of En 31 steel balls has been determined. The choice of material combination is shown to be a major factor in enhancing or reducing the performance of either mating material. With En 31 steel there appears to be an optimum hardness range and the hardness of both surfaces is important to ensure a maximum rolling-contact fatigue life. Metallurgical investigations have been carried out to elucidate the mechanisms of failure, and ‘compatibility’ is discussed in the light of fundamental concepts of the initiation of surface fatigue by mechanisms such as reversed micro-plastic deformation and how these mechanisms, the contact area, and the stress distribution are influenced by the material properties such as hardness and by rolling and sliding action.

Enhancement of Rolling Contact Wear and Fatigue Resistance of Wheel Steel by Laser Dispersed Treatment

2014 ◽  
Vol 891-892 ◽  
pp. 1797-1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Fang Zeng ◽  
Lian Tao Lu
Keyword(s):  
Wear Rate ◽  
Fatigue Resistance ◽  
Rolling Contact Fatigue ◽  
Fatigue Crack Initiation ◽  
Contact Fatigue ◽  
Rolling Contact ◽  
Wheel Steel ◽  
Premature Failure ◽  
Contact Wear ◽  
Delamination Wear

Ferrite-pearlite steel is the most widely used material for railway wheel. However, such wheel steel can not meet the strict demands for rolling contact wear and fatigue resistance with the rising speed and weight of traffic. The aim of this paper is to improve the rolling contact wear and fatigue resistance of wheel steel by laser dispersed treatment. Such treatment creates isolated glazed regions on the surface layer of wheel steel, which are composed of fine martensite and retained autensite and have an avera0ge hardness of 762HV0.3. Compared with the conventional laser surface treatment technologies, such as laser hardening, laser melting, or laser cladding, which have been applied for improving rolling contact wear and fatigue resistance of wheel/rail, the multiple overlapping laser tracks that cause the premature failure are avoided by laser dispersed treatment. The wear rate and rolling contact fatigue life of treated and untreated wheel steel were evaluated and compared by Amsler twin-disc testing machines in dry and lubricated condition, respectively. The test results show that laser dispersed treatment improves the rolling contact wear and fatigue resistance of wheel steel. The stable wear rate of the laser treated wheel steel is about 0.3 times that of untreated wheel disc and the average rolling contact life of treated wheel steel is about double that of the untreated steel. Further investigations show that the glazed regions suppress the plastic deformation of wheel steel. This inhibits the treated wheel steel from delamination wear and delays the formation of fatigue crack initiation.

scholarly journals Re-investigation of dark etching regions and white etching bands in SAE 52100 bearing steel due to rolling contact fatigue

2020 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 105591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa El Laithy ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Terry J. Harvey ◽  
Bernd Vierneusel
Keyword(s):  
Rolling Contact Fatigue ◽  
Contact Fatigue ◽  
Bearing Steel ◽  
Rolling Contact
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