Service life testing of components with defects in the rolling contact fatigue zone

Constantine Tarawneh, Lucas W. Koester, Allen J. Fuller, Brent M. Wilson, Joseph A. Turner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bearing steel cleanliness is of primary importance due to potential failures caused by rolling contact fatigue (RCF). Bulk material ultrasonic scanning provides a method of assessing steel quality and cleanliness, but is lacking in the area of primary interest: the near-surface region which is subject to RCF in bearings. This research highlights experimental results from service life simulation testing of bearing components with a predicted reduction in fatigue life as determined by ultrasonic surface wave inspection. Bearing components were subjected to surface wave testing to identify near surface defects, which was then followed by service life testing under load to examine the reliability of the prediction of premature failure based on inclusion identification with ultrasonic surface wave scanning techniques. Bearings produced from the same steel heat with similar inclusion content were used to maintain objectivity throughout the experiment, with samples from near-surface, defect free components, and those with ultrasonic signatures indicative of near-surface defects being examined. The locations of fatigue failure were then superimposed with ultrasonic scanning results to study the effectiveness of this examination and its predictive capabilities. This work is expected to impact the field of non-destructive testing where steel cleanliness and RCF are of concern.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationBearing Steel Technologies, 9th Volume
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in Rolling Contact Fatigue Strength Testing and Related Substitute Technologies
PublisherASTM International
Pages67-83
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9780803175341
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Event9th International Symposium on Bearing Steel Technologies: Advances in Rolling Contact Fatigue Strength Testing and Related Substitute Technologies - Tampa, FL, United States
Duration: Nov 17 2011Nov 18 2011

Publication series

NameASTM Special Technical Publication
Volume1548 STP
ISSN (Print)0066-0558

Conference

Conference9th International Symposium on Bearing Steel Technologies: Advances in Rolling Contact Fatigue Strength Testing and Related Substitute Technologies
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityTampa, FL
Period11/17/1111/18/11

Keywords

  • Bearing steel cleanliness
  • Near-surface inclusions
  • Sub-surface inclusion detection
  • Surface wave scanning
  • Ultrasonic scanning

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

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