Numerical modelling of rolling contact fatigue damage initiation from non-metallic inclusions in bearing steel

Journal article (2023)

Authors

Gopalakrishnan Ravi Strategisch Initiatief Materialen, Universiteit Gent
Wim De Waele Universiteit Gent
Ksenija Nikolic Strategisch Initiatief Materialen, Universiteit Gent
R.H. Petrov Team Kevin Rossi - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , Universiteit Gent
S. Hertelé Universiteit Gent
Research Group
Team Kevin Rossi (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 Gopalakrishnan Ravi, Wim De Waele, Ksenija Nikolic, R.H. Petrov, Stijn Hertelé
DOI
help_outline
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.108290
Rolling contact fatigue Debonding Finite element simulation Crack initiation Non-metallic inclusion
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

Research Group

Team Kevin Rossi

Abstract

Bearing failure is a cause of concern in a variety of machinery such as turbines, transmissions, drills, engines, etc. It is often associated with rolling contact fatigue (RCF) triggered from damage initiation at non-metallic inclusions (NMI's). Experimental evidence shows that damage initiation lifetime is highly sensitive to the NMI characteristics and its bonding with the steel matrix. This study numerically investigates the role of NMI features and its bonding with the steel matrix on damage initiation lifetime. NMI characteristics modelled in this study are derived from an experimental investigation of a failed bearing. Simulation results highlight a near to instantaneous debonding at the matrix-inclusion interface followed by accelerated crack initiation. The critical depth for damage initiation shifts towards the surface with the increase in friction coefficient between roller and raceway. The simulations also reveal that larger inclusions show earlier damage initiation, indicating a size effect. The damage hotspots from the simulation results were compared with experimental findings and a hypothesis for crack initiation from a NMI is put forward.