A Multiscale Overview of Modelling Rolling Cyclic Fatigue in Bearing Elements.

Abstract

Bearing components during service experience rolling cyclic fatigue (RCF), resulting in subsurface plasticity and decay of parent microstructure. The accumulation of micro strains spans billions of rolling cycles resulting in the continuous evolution of bearing steel microstructure. The bearing steel composition, non-metallic inclusions, continuously evolving residual stresses, and sub-stantial work hardening followed by subsurface softening create further complications in mod-elling bearing steel at different length scales. The current study presents a multiscale overview of modelling RCF in terms of plastic deformation and corresponding microstructural alterations. This article investigates previous models to predict microstructural alterations and material hardening approaches widely adopted to mimic the cyclic hardening response of evolved bearing steel microstructure. This review presents state-of-the-art in terms of this subject, relevant reviews and provide a robust academic critique to enhance understanding elastoplastic response of bearing steel under non-proportional loadings, damage evolution, formation mechanics of microstruc-tural alterations, leading to increase fatigue life of bearing components. It is suggested that a multidisciplinary approach at various length scales is required to fully understand the micro-mechanical and metallurgical response of widely used bearing steels in industry. This review will make significant contributions to novel design methodologies and improved product design specifications to deliver durability and reliability of bearing elements.