Detrimental Effects of Debris Dents on Rolling Contact Fatigue

Abstract

Debris dents produced by solid particles in suspension in oil or grease when they travel through an EHL contact may be at the origin of rolling bearing failures. A summary of an experimental investigation carried out to identify (i) the particle entry ratio, (ii) the mechanisms of particle fragmentation or deformation, (iii) the resulting indentation features, and (iv) the initiation site of subsequent surface damage is presented first. Afterwards, numerical simulations of a dent moving through an EHL contact are performed. A critical slide-to-roll ratio is found. Results of our numerical simulations are analyzed and discussed in relation to the concept of infinite life for rolling bearing applications. [S0742-4787(00)00901-2]