Abstract
As part of an investigation into wire-wool type bearing failures 21 steels of different compositions and structures have been tested for susceptibility to failure at one moderate rubbing speed and with one turbine oil containing no extreme-pressure (e.p.) additives.
It is shown that composition and, in particular, the chromium and manganese contents are the important factors. Heat treatment and metallurgical structure are of little importance. The critical chromium content would seem to lie between 1·3 and 2 per cent. The critical manganese content has not yet been determined, but it lies between 0·8 and 14 per cent.
Some early results from a study of the failure initiation process suggest that the susceptibility of the chromium and manganese steels may be associated with their transfer characteristics in high-speed lubricated rubbing.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.