Failure Observation of 3D-Printed Thrust Bearing Specimens at Cross Section Observations in Dry Conditions

Abstract

3D printing methods are developing and they have become popular recently. 3D printing can easily make complex and seamless parts, however, there are questions about their strength. In particular, the strength of the places where the lamination layer joins is important. We performed rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tests in dry conditions using 3D-printed bearing race and observed the fracture behavior and cracks. We found that the main crack is related to the stress moving direction.