This paper deals with the surface crack growth path description and the fatigue life prediction due to repeated rolling/sliding contact on the elastic half-space, accompanied by frictional heat generation and crack-face pressure. The stress intensity factors are analyzed for the surface crack which is kinked in multiple times from the inclined initial main crack. The rolling/sliding contact is simulated as a Hertzian contact pressure and a frictional load with heat generation, moving with constant velocity over the surface of the half-space. Applying the maximum energy release rate criterion to each kinked angle, the crack growth path can be described, and employing a mixed mode fatigue crack growth law, the associated fatigue life also can be predicted. The effects of frictional coefficient, slide/roll ratio and crack-face pressure on the crack growth path and associated life are considered for a high carbon-chromium bearing steel (SUJ 2).
