Some Observations on Scuffing in Tapered Roller Bearings

Abstract

Tests were run on tapered roller bearings under severe operating conditions to promote the incidence of scuffing. This resulted in varying degrees of scuffing damage on the cone (inner race) ribs and/or spherical roller ends of some of the bearings. These were then examined using both the optical microscope and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, metallographic examinations were conducted on some of the damaged areas. On the basis of these observations, a qualitative model for the onset of scuffing is outlined. The quantitative data obtained from these tests was then analyzed in terms of Blok’s critical temperature criterion and also the scuffing criterion of the form WVx = constant.