Influence of MnS inclusion characteristics on generation of white etching cracks in 100Cr6 bearing steel
Journal article, 2023
Wind turbine gearbox (WTGB) bearings suffer from premature failures through white etching cracks (WECs). To investigate causes of this failure mechanism, we tested two types of 100Cr6 bearing steel components. We carried out rolling contact fatigue experiments on standard washers and material extracted from a WTGB bearing. These differed strongly in morphology and orientation of non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) with respect to the raceway, especially of MnS-type. While the standard washer did not exhibit WECs formation, the WTGB bearing did - even under moderate conditions (1.9 GPa Hertzian pressure, 107 cycles). We therefore conclude that MnS-inclusions are a key factor in initiation of WECs in WTGB bearings.
Electron microscopy
Steel
White etching cracks
Rolling contact fatigue
Bearings
Author
Srikakulapu Kiranbabu
Montanuniversität Leoben
Max Planck Society
Lutz Morsdorf
Max Planck Society
Ivan Gonzalez
Max Planck Society
Michael Kölling
Max Planck Society
Christian Broß
Max Planck Society
Dirk Ponge
Max Planck Society
Michael Herbig
Max Planck Society
David Mayweg
Chalmers, Physics, Microstructure Physics
Max Planck Society
Wear
0043-1648 (ISSN)
Vol. 534-535 205129Subject Categories
Tribology
Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology
Metallurgy and Metallic Materials
DOI
10.1016/j.wear.2023.205129