Modelling of Surface Initiated Rolling Contact Fatigue Damage

A parametric study was performed to investigate the contribution of surface roughness, friction and a constant residual surface stress to the rolling contact fatigue damage process. The effects on initiation, crack path and fatigue life were examined for a gear application. The asperity point load model could predict effects on rolling contact fatigue that are observed with experiments. The study of a ring/cone crack subjected to a rolling contact fatigue load allowed to explain the v-shaped cracks typical for surface initiated spalling. The results further support the asperity point load mechanism as a source behind surface initiated rolling contact fatigue.