1
Return

Rolling contact fatigue life prediction in bearing steels based on sub-micron carbide microstructural characteristics

delete2026-08-07
delete0
PRE
AI
Z
Zhanqing Yin
Z
Zhigang Yang
C
Chi Zhang
J
Jugan Zhang *
DOI:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2026.117526delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Sub-micron carbides significantly influence the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) performance of high-carbon chromium bearing steels. However, existing studies have considered only a few microstructural factors, remain largely qualitative, and lack a quantitative framework capable of capturing the heterogeneous carbide distribution in real microstructures. Through mechanistic modeling and experimental validation, this work establishes a fatigue life prediction model incorporating sub-micron carbide size, content, and distribution, with the volume density of the outer interfacial area of the effective strengthening layers as the key microstructural descriptor. Combined with an image recognition algorithm, the model extracts actual carbide characteristics directly from microstructural images for RCF life prediction, showing good agreement with measured lives. The resulting framework establishes a quantitative carbide microstructure–RCF life linkage, captures previously unaccounted microstructural heterogeneity, supports fatigue life evaluation and fatigue-resistant design, and reduces reliance on extensive fatigue testing.
Keywords:
Bearing steels
Rolling contact fatigue
Fatigue life prediction
Sub-micron carbides
Image recognition

Journal

Scripta Materialia cover
Scripta Materialia
IF:
5.6
Papers:
1.6W
Citations:
5.1W

Organization

T
tsinghua university
Scholars:
11.5W
Papers: 9.9W
Citations: 137
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers