Simplified Contact Fatigue Life Prediction Model—Part I: Review of Published Models

Abstract

Part I of this two-part paper reviews eleven published spalling fatigue life models, to identify consensus parameters and relationships and to compare model strengths and limitations, as a basis for the construction of a simplified, readily calculated engineering model encompassing the major life variables, based on explicit assumptions and derivations. Part II of the paper presents the new model. It uses the applied alternating shear stress field to define the critical stress as a function of depth, and computes life as crack propagation time through this field. The model defines surface defects as critical defects. Material fatigue susceptibility, fatigue limit stress and the defect severity distribution are the main endurance parameters. In addition to Hertz pressure, life-modifying variables are: interface traction, surface microgeometry and EHD film. It is shown that the new model is capable of representing the influence of all major consensus parameters on life, by relationships that fall within the bounds of previously published behavior.