Contact probabilities of an angular ball bearing under a combined axial and radial load

•A novel contact probability model of an angular ball bearing is proposed.•It is the first time that both axial and radial loads are considered in a bearing contact probability model.•The axial load plays a decisive role in the stable distribution of the contact probability.•A steady-state wear will accumulate on the ball under a large constant axial load. A contact probability model of an angular ball bearing is developed in this study by means of multi-body dynamics and a spherical grid division method. The model is used to analyze the contact probability of a ball surface of a typical angular ball bearing under different loading conditions. It is found that the contact probability of the ball with the inner and outer races of the bearing under a pure radial loading will have the largest probability distribution along the ball's circular profile intersecting the two contact points between the ball and the inner and outer races. Whilst the axial load on the ball bearing plays a decisive role in the stable distribution of the contact probability of the ball under various combinations of axial and radial loads. The study also shows that a steady-state wear will accumulate on the ball surface and the raceways when a large constant axial load is applied to the angular ball bearing.