WEC Formation in Rolling Bearings under Mixed Friction: Influences and “Friction Energy Accumulation” as Indicator

ABSTRACTWhite etching cracks (WEC) can lead to premature rolling contact fatigue. Possible drivers of WEC can be mixed friction, sliding between rolling elements and raceways, electrical current, critical additives, and water-contaminated lubricant. With respect to WEC failures induced by sliding between rolling elements and raceways under mixed friction, an approach is presented that can explain the experimentally observed failure characteristics of cylindrical roller thrust bearings. Variants of the bearing were tested using a WEC-critical lubricant. The tests showed that not only the contact pressure and sliding between rolling elements and raceways but also the lubrication conditions (specific film thickness) and the frequency of the contact load cycles have an influence on WEC life. These influences are reflected best by a newly introduced characteristic parameter termed friction energy accumulation. As far as WEC failures induced by sliding under mixed friction are concerned the friction energy accu...