Three-dimensional (3D) analysis of white etching bands (WEBs) in AISI M50 bearing steel using automated serial sectioning

Journal Article · Sun Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2018.01.010· OSTI ID:22832962

Ganti, Satya; Turner, Bryan ^[1]; Kirsch, Mathew ^[2]; Anthony, Don; McCoy, Bryan ^[3]; Trivedi, Hitesh; Sundar, Veeraraghavan ^[1]

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1. UES Inc., Dayton, OH (United States)
2. US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States)
3. SKF Aeroengine North America, Falconer, NY (United States)

Dark etching regions (DER) and white etching bands (WEB) form in the subsurface stressed regions of bearing raceways and rolling elements. Also, “butterfly” formations form around non-metallic inclusions and large carbides. The formation of WEBs, DERs and butterfly are dependent on operating conditions, material alloying elements and heat treatment. The DER, WEB and butterfly formations are well studied in two dimensions (2D). The objective of this study was to analyze WEB formation in three dimensions (3D) that will allow better understanding of material transformation after stress cycling. Three rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tested vacuum induction melted vacuum arc re-melted (VIM-VAR) AISI M50 samples (from a bench test, sub-scale test and commercial gas turbine engine) were analyzed using automated serial sectioning to map WEB networks and a butterfly formation in 3D. Automated serial sectioning and 2D optical microstructural data for 3D reconstructions and analysis was done using a fully automated serial sectioning system – Robo-Met.3D®. 3D analysis was performed using Image-Pro Premier 3D. The data set allowed 3D visualization and analysis of the evolution and propagation of WEB and butterfly in M50 bearing steel, including the positive microscopic identification of a ceramic inclusion that was the source of a WEB.

• OSTI ID: 22832962
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Vol. 138; ISSN 1044-5803; ISSN MACHEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBIDES
CERAMICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ETCHING
FATIGUE
GAS TURBINE ENGINES
HEAT TREATMENTS
IMAGE PROCESSING
MICROSTRUCTURE
ROLLING
STEELS
STRESSES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS