Abstract
Rolling element bearings (REB), one of the critical components of mechanical power transmissions, operate under high contact loads concentrated over small volumes of material. The damage caused by fatigue to REBs happens in two stages: the initiation of cracks and the propagation of cracks from areas of stress concentration. To select bearing steels for different applications, it is important to have knowledge about the material’s ability to resist fracture. This study presents results from an experimental investigation of bearing steels manufactured using different heat treatments. Steels were induction-hardened, carburized, and through-hardened, generating varying microstructures. Fracture mechanics tests were conducted using ASTM standards. The data generated is useful for predicting crack initiation and growth behavior under different loading conditions. Microscopic-level investigations are also presented to discern the fracture mechanisms associated with different microstructures.
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