A study on the initiation processes of white etching cracks (WECs) in AISI 52100 bearing steel

The life cycle of any drive train is given by the reliability its individual components, e.g., bearings, gears, and their connections. Lubrication as a part prevents wear caused uncontrolled mixed friction. However, lubricants may interfere in load capacity steel due to chemical physical processes. White etching crack (WEC) failures are one most prominent failure mechanisms supposed be related this topic. In order understand initiation progression we carried out series tests FE8 test rig proven reproduce WECs lubrication chemistry. These were stopped at an early stage. All lubricant compositions leading showed pores subsurface starting depth about 80 ?m state phenomenon, while oils not did show changes comparable time. Modifications microstructure like new grain boundaries found next pore sites use SEM SE/BSE imaging EBSD mappings. present investigations give valuable insight into formation on role different process.