Abstract
Rotating bending fatigue tests of hydrogen-charged bearing steels with high compressive residual stress in a specimen surface were carried out. The fatigue life of specimen with compressive residual stress was improved, when hydrogen-charged one was declined. Based on SEM observations of fracture surfaces, the inclusion sizes of the later specimens were similar to the former specimens and the crack initiation sites were deeper. The fatigue life was shorter although stress amplitude at inclusion site was small, so it is presumed that crack propagation rate was further accelerated by compressive residual stress.
