Researches and Finite Element Simulations of Radial Loading Deformations Applied to Steel Ball Bearings

Abstract

The appearance of quick wear of rolling paths and rolling elements (balls) through contact fatigue phenomena and through surface defects lead to a decrease in the life of ball bearings in service. One of the causes is the interruption of the lubricating film between surfaces with relative motion under load conditions and high speeds, which leads to plastic micro-deformations and micro-welding between contact surfaces. Diagnosing defects by visual observation involves disassemble of the bearing and is an ineffective method of investigation in serial production. In this context, the necessity of: (i) comparative study of the stresses to which two types (100Cr6 steel and 100CrMnSi6-4 steel type) of radial ball bearings are subjected, (ii) the influence of contact between the ball and the inner ring during rotation, and (iii) the analysis with Finite Element Method (FEM) of the deformations occurring at the application of radial bearing forces. FEM is a current approach to real phenomena in mechanical assemblies, which allows a validation of study assumptions; the results of FEM can lead to the detection of tribological causes of increased bearing wear at inner ring to bearing balls contact. In this paper, FE simulation of radial loading deformations was performed in SolidWorks software using the Simulation module and the stresses and deformations in the bearing rings for the two materials were obtained. It has been found that the stresses that appear during simulations are similar for both materials and do not exceed the limits allowed for heavy duty steel bearings.