Improvement of Roller Bearing Fatigue Life by Surface Roughness Modification 910958
In order to prolong rolling bearing fatigue life under mixed or boundary lubrication conditions, we have developed a specific smooth surface with small indentations by using the concept of micro EHL (elastohydrodynamic lubrication). These indentations or pits act as a carrier of lubricant from the inlet to the inside of the contact area. Therefore, lubrication performance of this surface is better than that of a superfinished surface.
We have already demonstrated the ability of forming an oil film using this proposed surface. However, reliability of fatigue life for this surface was not sufficiently investigated. Therefore, we have conducted several rolling bearing fatigue life tests with this surface as compared to a superfinished surface. Lambda values of these tests were from 0.45 to 2.10. Results of these tests indicated that the life of the bearings containing rollers with this surface texture was between 2.0 to 13 times longer than that of normal bearings.
Citation: Akamatsu, Y., Tsushima, N., Goto, T., Hibi, K. et al., "Improvement of Roller Bearing Fatigue Life by Surface Roughness Modification," SAE Technical Paper 910958, 1991, https://doi.org/10.4271/910958. Download Citation
