A review of some of the recent work on the mechanism of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) is presented. Topics covered include the appearance and classification of RCF and the processes of strain localization, texture development, microstructural change, crack formation, crack shape and propagation, and through-fracture. It is concluded that a significant barrier to progress is the poor current understanding of the processes of running-in and of the interactions between plastic deformation, wear, lubricant chemistry and damage accumulation.
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