Surface Durability and Surface Failure of Rolling Contact Roller Rotated at Non-uniform Velocity

Abstract

In the case of a common rolling contact fatigue testing machine, the roller is rotated at uniform velocity. In this research the roller was rotated at non-uniform velocity by applying an eccentric gear mechanism to the machine in order to bring about a contact condition of rollers close to that of gears. Specific sliding of the roller was so adjusted as to change continuously from 0 % to -125 % during one rotation. Under this condition the rolling contact fatigue tests were performed using thermally refined and induction-hardened steel rollers. The roughness change of the roller and the surface failure were discussed in relation to the specific sliding.