Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Spall Propagation Characteristics of Refurbished VIM–VAR AISI M50 Angular Contact Bearings

  • Technical Article---Peer-Reviewed
  • Published:
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

During times of restricted supply, bearing refurbishment offers an attractive avenue to maintain operational readiness. However, bearing operation after fatigue spall initiation on refurbished bearings has not been extensively studied. In this study, spall propagation characteristics were compared between new and refurbished vacuum induction-melted, vacuum arc remelted AISI M50 208-size angular contact bearings. A control group of new AISI M50 bearings was evaluated for spall propagation characteristics as a baseline. Another group of AISI M50 bearings were subjected to an accumulated 11.5 billion stress cycles at a maximum Hertzian contact stress of 1.93 GPa and a temperature of 127 °C followed by Level II refurbishment. The refurbished bearings were evaluated for spall propagation characteristics and compared to the baseline bearings. Spalls were initiated via seeded Rockwell C hardness indents and propagated at a maximum Hertzian contact stress of 2.65 and 2.41 GPa, respectively, on both groups of bearings. The propagation rates of the bearings were measured in real time using an oil debris monitor. Pre- and post-tested bearings were examined for changes in microstructure, residual stress and retained austenite as a function of depth in the circumferential direction. No statistically significant difference in spall propagation characteristics was observed between new and refurbished bearings at the operating conditions and accumulated stress cycles studied here.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H. Hanau, E.V. Zaretsky, S.M. Chen, H. Bull, G.F. Hein, Bearing Restoration by Grinding. USAAVSCOM-TR-76-27, May 1976

  2. J.S. Cunningham Jr., M.A. Morgan, Review of aircraft bearing rejection criteria and causes. Lubr. Eng. 34(2), 435–441 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  3. H. Sengstschmid, H. Köttritsch, K. Wagnere, The benefits of remanufacturing rolling bearings. Evolution 12(2–3), 1–13 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  4. E.V. Zaretsky, E.V. Branzai, Model Specification for Rework of Aircraft Engine, Power Transmission, and Accessory/Auxiliary Ball and Roller Bearings. NASA/TP-2007-214463

  5. J. Alexander, Bearing Repair Provides Valuable Alternative to Bearing Replacement for Heavy Industries. The Timken Company. www.timken.com/bearingrepair

  6. Reconditioning and Repair of Rolling Bearings, FAG-Schaeffer Group Technologies Pub. TPI 207 GB-D. www.schaeffleer-iam.com

  7. E.V. Zaretsky, E.V. Branzai, Effect of rolling element bearing refurbishment and restoration on bearing life and reliability. Tribol. Trans. 48, 32–45 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. N.R. Paulson, N.E. Evans, J.A.R. Bomidi, F. Sadeghi, R.D. Evans, K.M. Mistry, A finite element model for rolling contact fatigue of refurbished bearings. Tribol. Int. 85, 1–9 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. N. Bolander, H. Qui, N. Eklund, E. Hindlke, T. Rosenfeld, Physics-based remaining useful life prediction for aircraft engine bearing prognosis, in Annual Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society (2009). https://www.phmsociety.org/node/110

  10. L. Rosado, N.H. Forster, K.L. Thompson, J.W. Cooke, Rolling contact fatigue life and spall propagation of AISI M50, M50NiL, and AISI 52100, Part I: experimental results. Tribol. Trans. 53, 29–41 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. T.A. Harris, M.N. Kotzalas, Rolling Bearing Analysis—Essential Concepts of Bearing Technology, 5th edn. (CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2007), p. 213

    Google Scholar 

  12. H.J. Bhomer, R. Eberhard, Microstructural optimization of bearing steels for operation under contaminated lubrication by using the experimental method of dented surfaces. ASTM STP 1419, pp. 244–262 (2002)

  13. D. Girodin, F. Ville, R. Guers, G. Dundragne, Rolling contact fatigue tests to investigate surface initiated damage and tolerance to surface dents. ASTM STP 1419, pp. 263–281 (2002)

  14. E. Streit, J. Brock, P. Poulin, Performance evaluation of duplex hardened bearings for advanced turbine engine applications. ASTM STP 1465, pp. 169–186 (2007)

  15. A. Vincent, D. Nelias, C. Jacq, Y. Robin, G. Dudragne, Comparison of fatigue performance of 32CrMoV13 and M50 steels in presence of surface dents. ASTM STP 1465, pp. 187–206 (2007)

  16. N.K. Arakere, N. Branch, G. Levesque, V. Svendsen, N.H. Forster, Rolling contact fatigue life and spall propagation of AISI M50, M50NiL, and AISI 52100, Part II: stress modeling. Tribol. Trans. 53, 42–51 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. G.E. Morales Espejel, A. Gabelli, A model for rolling bearing life with surface and sub-surface survival: sporadic surface damage from deterministic indentations. Tribol. Int. 96, 279–288 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. D. Muir, B. Howe, In-Line Oil Debris Monitor (ODM) for the Advanced Tactical Fighter Engine. SAE paper 961308 (1996)

  19. J.L. Miller, D. Kitaljevich, In-Line Oil Debris Monitor for Aircraft Engine Conditions Assessment. IEEE paper 0-7803-5846-5/00 (2000)

  20. M.H. Evans, White structure flaking (WSF) in wind turbine gearbox bearings: effects of ‘butterflies’ and white etching cracks. Mater. Sci. Technol. 28(1), 3–22 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. N.H. Forster, L. Rosado, W.P. Ogden, H.K. Trivedi, Rolling contact fatigue life and spall propagation characteristics of AISI M50, M50NiL, and AISI 52100, Part III—metallurgical examination. Tribol. Trans. 52, 52–59 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory and performed at the Engine Mechanical Systems Branch, Turbine Engine Division, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB. The authors would like to acknowledge the support of David L. James, David T. Gerardi, Garry D. Givan, and Dr. Mathew S. Kirsch.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA

    Justin K. Mason & Lewis Rosado

  2. UES Inc., Dayton, OH, USA

    Hitesh K. Trivedi

Authors
  1. Justin K. Mason
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hitesh K. Trivedi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lewis Rosado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hitesh K. Trivedi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mason, J.K., Trivedi, H.K. & Rosado, L. Spall Propagation Characteristics of Refurbished VIM–VAR AISI M50 Angular Contact Bearings. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 17, 426–439 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-017-0259-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-017-0259-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation