Description

  • Contact fatigue damage occurring before the expected service life may be primary or secondary damage
  • Primary premature contact fatigue results from adverse or unaccounted for running conditions
  • Secondary premature contact fatigue results from crack initiation and propagation from surface damage

Causes

  • Heavier loads than expected
  • Excessive preloading or loss of clearance due to incorrect fits or thermal expansion
  • Misalignment
  • Surface damage and geometrical nonconformities (roundness/taper) of housing or shaft seats
  • Shaft/housing deflection under load
  • Changes in contact geometry resulting from wear
  • Surface Damage
    • Handling and Installation damage – denting, smearing
    • Corrosion – acid etching, rust
    • Fine grain spalling (micropitting) due to marginal lubrication
    • Impact damage (brinelling)
    • Vibration damage (false brinelling)
    • Electrical current damage
Contact fatigue spalling on a cone raceway resulting from edge loading due to misalignment and heavy loading.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cone raceway resulting from edge loading due to misalignment and heavy loading.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cylindrical inner race resulting from isolated surface damage.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cylindrical inner race resulting from isolated surface damage.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cylindrical outer race resulting from surface corrosion.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cylindrical outer race resulting from surface corrosion.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cylindrical outer race resulting from misalignment.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cylindrical outer race resulting from misalignment.

Contact fatigue spalling on a cone raceway resulting from impact damage (brinelling).

Contact fatigue spalling on a cone raceway resulting from impact damage (brinelling).

Contact fatigue spalling at surface distress (micropitting) resulting from marginal lubrication.

Contact fatigue spalling at surface distress (micropitting) resulting from marginal lubrication.

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