Properties of Defect Initiation and Fatigue Crack Growth in Manufacturing Process of Bearing Metal

베어링메탈 제조공정에 따른 결함발생 및 피로균열 전파특성

A study has been made on defects which are formed in manufacturing processes of engine bearing and also on fatigue crack growth behavior in each step of bearing metal manufacturing. After the first step(sinter brass powder on steel plate ; Series A) many voids are made on brass surface and its size is decreased by the second step(rolling process of sintered plate ; Series B). After the third step(re-sintering step of brass powder and rolling ; Series C) the number of voids is decreased and its type shows line. The time of fatigue crack initiation and the growth rate of fatigue crack are in order of Series A, Series B, Series C. These reasons are that void fosters the crack initiation and growth, and residual stress made by rolling process effects on the crack growth rate in Series B, C. In forming and machining processes by use of final bearing metal, crack was observed at internal corner of flange and peeling off was observed at junction between steel and brass. Owing to the above crack and peeling off, it is considered that there is a possibility of fatigue fracture during the application time.