A New Machine for Studying the Effects of Sliding and Traction on the Fatigue Life of Point Contacts, with Initial Test Results

Abstract

A new ball fatigue tester, the Twin-Head Five-Ball Machine, developed in order to study the effect of traction and sliding on fatigue life, is described in detail. The novel features offered by the apparatus are presented and their implications discused.

Three groups of balls were tested with a synthetic diester oil, at a constant maximum Hertz stress of 6GN m⁻² (875,000 psi) in pure rolling and at two levels of sliding and traction. Results show a significant decrease in life for a small level of sliding or traction. Life appears to be better correlated to traction coefficient than to sliding.

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference held in Montreal, Canada, October 8–10, 1974

Notes

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference held in Montreal, Canada, October 8–10, 1974