Optimal Residual Stresses for Maximum Rolling Bearing Service Life

How can the fatigue life of highly loaded rolling-sliding contacts be increased? A new publication by the IMKT in cooperation with the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW) at LUH provides answers. As part of the DFG project “Functionalized subsurface for load-oriented fatigue behavior of hardened components”, IMKT and IFW systematically investigated the influence of process parameters in hard turning and deep rolling of hardened rolling bearing rings.

The results show: Moderate mechanical pressure at room temperature can more than double the service life through beneficial compressive residual stresses, while excessive loading or temperatures above 200 °C significantly reduce service life – even when hardness and microstructure appear unchanged. For the first time, a “hidden” thermal damage mechanism was also identified that limits component service life.

The results have now been published in the journal Journal of Materials Processing Technology and provide a clear process window for residual stress adjustment in bearing steels and practical guidelines for the hybrid manufacturing of durable, sustainable machine elements:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924013625003176?via%3Dihub