Characterization of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Bearing Steels by Means of Focused Ion Beam

Suarez, Aldara Naveira

doi:10.1520/stp158020140082

Bearing Steel Technologies: 10th Volume, Advances in Steel Technologies for Rolling Bearings 2015

DOI: 10.1520/stp158020140082

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Characterization of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Bearing Steels by Means of Focused Ion Beam

Aldara Naveira Suarez

Abstract: The feasibility and benefits of focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) tomography for the characterization of non-metallic inclusions in bearing steels was evaluated. The technique enables precision, essentially stress-free, serial milling of microstructural features, from which a three-dimensional (3D) profile can be reconstructed. 3D imaging of the inclusions using FIB-SEM has provided relevant information about the inclusion connectivity (bonding/debonding between the inclusion and the stee… Show more

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Cited by 3 publications

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Chapter 2 | Basic Bearing Steel Metallurgy and Relationship of Steel Composition, Metallurgical Cleanliness, and Heat Treatment—Specifications and Standard Methods

Beswick¹

2022

Rolling Bearing Steel: Design, Technology, Testing and Measurements

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The microstructure of steels for rolling bearings is the single most important parameter in the metallurgy of steels for rolling bearings. The required spheroidize annealing operation for high carbon through hardening steels is reviewed. The microstructure produced in martensitic and bainitic through hardening processes are described as well as the carbide microstructure effects in secondary hardening treatment for steels for high temperature aerospace precision rolling bearings. Metallurgical cleanliness is an all-encompassing parameter in steels for rolling bearings and as such the various characteristics of inclusions present in rolling bearing steels are described. The effect of chemical elements in bearing steel compositions is treated with respect to their effects on rolling bearing properties. The international specifications and details of testing methods for steels for rolling bearings are explained and illustrated. The metallurgical specification and test parameters covered in this section are: microcleanliness, mesosize, defect control, macroinclusion testing using ultrasonic methods, microstructure control, steel composition testing, hardness testing, grinding burn, static capacity relationships, retained austenite and residual stress determination using x-ray diffraction, and radiation testing. The information in this section will enable the reader to identify the most important parameters for global sourcing and testing of steels for rolling bearings.

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Chapter 2 | Basic Bearing Steel Metallurgy and Relationship of Steel Composition, Metallurgical Cleanliness, and Heat Treatment—Specifications and Standard Methods

Beswick¹

2022

Rolling Bearing Steel: Design, Technology, Testing and Measurements

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Bearing Steel Quality Assurance with Next Generation SEM-EDS

Ricker

Patel

Beek

2017

Bearing Steel Technologies: 11th Volume, Advances in Steel Technologies for Rolling Bearings

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Microscopic cleanliness has dominated bearing steel metallurgical quality requirements for a long time—from the 1974 ASTM symposium on the rating of nonmetallic inclusions in bearing steels to the present day. Steelmaking processes have been improved over the years; the micro-cleanliness demands have increased but the methodologies, based on light optical microscopy, have evolved very little. The goal of removing the subjectivity in micro-inclusion ratings by optical image analysis has existed for a long time, but the pixel size and time have been a limitation in light optical systems. The use of electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy showed promise in the 1970s, and improved scanning electron microscope (SEM) stability, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) throughput, and EDS resolution has enabled a new generation of SEM-EDS systems. The current generation of SEM-EDS system are now used to perform composition specific micro-inclusion characterization as used in quality assurance and process improvements. In this paper, the Thermo Fisher Scientific system—as applied to bearing steel quality assurance—will be described with examples highlighting the benefits and potential caveats and workarounds.

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Nonmetallic Inclusion Bonding in Bearing Steel and the Initiation of White-Etching Cracks

Vegter¹,

Krock²,

Kadin³

et al. 2017

Bearing Steel Technologies: 11th Volume, Advances in Steel Technologies for Rolling Bearings

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The presence of nonmetallic inclusions in bearing steel is well described as well as the occurrence of white-etching cracks starting at the inclusions. In this paper, the role of interfacial strength in the initiation of small cracks at nonmetallic inclusion-steel interfaces that lead to white-etching crack systems is discussed. The effect of rolling contact fatigue on the steel-inclusion interface will be described to explain the early crack initiation, with a focus on manganese sulfide and complex aluminum oxide inclusions. The factors of size and shape both play an important role in the behavior of inclusions, as well as that of interfacial bonding, which will be shown to be decisive in the strength of a bearing steel. Experimental methods to determine inclusion-steel interface properties are applied, such as advanced tensile tests combined with digital image correlation, in order to show the level of bonding of nonmetallic inclusions. The experimental results contribute to the verification of inclusion modeling in rolling contact fatigue simulations.

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Characterization of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Bearing Steels by Means of Focused Ion Beam

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Chapter 2 | Basic Bearing Steel Metallurgy and Relationship of Steel Composition, Metallurgical Cleanliness, and Heat Treatment—Specifications and Standard Methods

Chapter 2 | Basic Bearing Steel Metallurgy and Relationship of Steel Composition, Metallurgical Cleanliness, and Heat Treatment—Specifications and Standard Methods

Bearing Steel Quality Assurance with Next Generation SEM-EDS

Nonmetallic Inclusion Bonding in Bearing Steel and the Initiation of White-Etching Cracks

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