Fretting Corrosion Caused by Vibration With Rolling Bearings Stationary

Abstract

If nonrotating rolling bearings are exposed to vibration then the raceways especially in roller bearings can be damaged in a short time. False brinelling in bearings is caused by fretting corrosion. All research in this area therefore belongs to the field of fretting corrosion. Owing to the alternating elastic deformation in the contact area between the rolling elements and the raceway as well as to the shearing strength being exceeded in the microcontact area, surface particles are abraded, which become immediately oxidized. The kind and the extent of damage primarily depend on the static load of the bearings. The resistance to false brinelling can be increased by means of lubricants and surface treatments. It is possible to give limits for the admissible flute characteristics. In cases of already known vibration characteristics the time of the bearing failure can be mathematically predetermined.