Sliding contact fatigue of white metal lined bearing

The sliding-contact-fatigue-tests were performed on the bearing-specimen lined with white metal by applying a various contact stresses between the specimen and the circular-disc. The linear relationships were observed on the log-log plots between the maximum contact stresses, σmax and the crack initiation lives, Ni, or the cut off lives, Nf. The both fatigue lives, Ni and Nf become short with an increase of the stress ratio. On the other hand, the unique relations regardless of the stress ratios tested were found between the mean stress, σmean and Ni, and also between σmean and Nf. During the fatigue process, pits were appeared on the rubbing face of the specimen-side, and fragments of white metal were found on the face of the circular-disk-side. These densities increased with an increase of the mean stress and a number of revolutions of the circular-disk. When these densities are large, the frictional work between the specimen and the circular disk will increase, and accelerate the temperature rise at the contact site. This temperature rise is sure to soften the specimen and reduce Nf of the specimen. The fragments of white metal on the rubbing face of the circular-disc shorten the crack initiation lives, Ni by increasing the frictional load that is applied to the white metal immediately below the disc.