Determination of Rolling Contact Stress Distribution by X-ray Diffraction

Abstract

AbstractAn investigation was conducted of the potential for detection of the contact stress distribution in tapered roller bearing components made of carburized steel. Various raceway stress distributions were created by control of the profile and alignment of the rolling surfaces. Determination of residual stress in the rolling direction and peak breadth were made using a multiple tilt sin2 ψ technique. The measurements were made at the surface and at depths below the surface. It was found that the distribution of residual stress and peak breadth perpendicular to the rolling direction in the layers below the surface of the inner race correlated highly with the imposed contact stress distribution. The correlation was less in the case of the outer race. The residual stress distribution measured on the surface of the inner race was observed to be inversely proportional to the contact stress distribution.