Comparison of fatigue life behavior between deep groove radial ball bearings possessing conventional and micro-grooved outer races operating under dry condition

A comparative study on fatigue life of deep groove radial ball bearings possessing conventional and micro-grooved outer races by experimental investigation is discussed in this paper. This research has been carried out to explore and understand the fatigue life of a micro-grooved ball bearing (MGB) with a circumferential micro-groove on outer race by conducting long duration tests under dry condition (i.e. wiping out the applied grease from the races by using tissue paper and lint free cloth) and compare the results with same size SKF BB1B 420206 conventional bearing (CB) at the identical operating parameters. Frictional torque (FT), bulk temperature, and overall vibration level of the test bearings (CB and MGB) at the maximum load zone have been measured at 800 N ( p H = 1.7 GPa) radial load and 1800 rpm (4.2 m/s) for the entire duration (7.8 million revolutions) of the experiments. Comparison of the surface conditions of the bearing components by means of the captured scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, roundness and deviation in profile of the races measured by co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM), and photographs captured before and after the experiment indicates lesser damage of the MGB components as compared to the conventional cases. Moreover, the initiation of fatigue failure in CBs is faster as compared to the MGBs for the same test condition, indicating longer bearing life in MGBs as compared to the CBs.