XRD Residual Stress Analysis for the Clarification of Failure Modes of Rolling Bearings*

Abstract

Abstract Material conditions of rolling bearings, which are assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, point to a variety of load possibilities especially at raceway surfaces. Due to clearly distinguishable damage symptoms, it is differentiated between the (near-) surface and sub-surface failure mode in the literature. Surface distress of different intensity can be generated by particle-contaminated lubricants that result in raceway indentations. These micro-Hertzian contacts may lead to changes in residual stress and line broadening and in the microstructure. Another cause of surface distress is boundary lubrication. Relevant position and nature of the failure mechanisms are characterized. In the case of initial material stabilization, the time alterations of the XRD parameters correlate with the statistical parameter of the 10% bearing life. Contrary to the L10 equivalent value for sub-surface failures, i.e. classical rolling contact fatigue, which lead to spalling only a long time after incipient material softening, in the surface damage mode the L10 life roughly coincides with the beginning of the instability phase. Surface pitting or gray staining occrs frequently without distinct XRD indication of material aging. Here, scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis point to corrosion rolling contact fatigue as crack propagation mechanism. The interaction between material and lubricant opens up new research areas in the field of tribology.