Improvement of the Rolling Contact Fatigue Resistance in Bearing Steels by Adjusting the Composition of Oxide Inclusions

Shimamoto, Masaki; Sugimura, Tomoko; Kimura, Sei; Owaki, Akihiro; Kaizuka, Masaki; Shindo, Yosuke

doi:10.1520/stp158020140043

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Generally, it is believed that Si-Mn-deoxidized molten steel can effectively prevent the occurrence of calcium-aluminate inclusions while reducing the oxygen content of molten steel. Nonetheless, it is necessary to strictly control the number and size of silicate inclusions to ensure optimal steel performance [24][25][26]. Research by Wang et al showed that under the same total oxygen content, the fatigue performance of bearing steel deoxidized by Si-Mn can match or even slightly surpass that of Al-deoxidized bearing steel [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Silicon–Manganese Deoxidation on Oxygen Content and Inclusions in Molten Steel

Song,

Wang,

Bao

et al. 2024

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In order to improve the cleanliness of steel, non-aluminum deoxidation processes have begun to replace aluminum deoxidation processes. Although the aluminum deoxidation process can reduce the oxygen content in steel to <10 × 10−6, this deoxidation method causes fatigue failure resulting from the formation of large-grained spherical (Ds-type) inclusions composed of calcium–aluminate. It also tends to lead to nozzle blockage during casting. Given the above problems, this study conducted an in-depth investigation of silicon–manganese deoxidation. Thermal experiments and thermodynamic calculations were used to assess the impact of different Mn–Si ratios on the oxygen content and inclusion characteristics during the deoxidation process of molten steel with different initial oxygen contents. The experimental samples were analyzed using an oxygen–nitrogen–hydrogen analyzer, a direct reading spectrometer, and an automatic scanning electron microscope. After that, the samples were electrolyzed to observe the 2D morphology and 3D morphology of the inclusions using scanning electron microscopy. Finally, thermodynamic calculations were carried out using FactSage to verify the experimental results. The results indicated that, regardless of the initial oxygen content, silicon–manganese deoxidation maintained the total oxygen content at 35 × 10−6. It effectively managed the plasticization of inclusions in molten steel, predominantly yielding spherical silicates while minimizing Al-containing inclusions. Nevertheless, as the initial content of [O] increased, the size and density of the silicate inclusions in the steel also increased. An optimal point in the number and size of inclusions was observed with an increased Mn–Si ratio. Moreover, the combined utilization of silicon–manganese deoxidation, diffusion deoxidation, and vacuum deoxidation enabled ultra-low oxygen content control of molten steel.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Silicon–Manganese Deoxidation on Oxygen Content and Inclusions in Molten Steel

Song,

Wang,

Bao

et al. 2024

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Some scholars have reported trials of the production of bearing steels by this method. Shimamoto et al [16][17] used silicon as a deoxid-izer for smelting bearing steel and found that the rated service life (L 10 ) of this steel is greater than 2 × 10 8 revolutions. Gu et al [18] found that the effect of oxide inclusions generated during Al deoxidation on the N f is more extensive than that of oxide inclusions produced during Si deoxidation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrahigh cycle fatigue fracture mechanism of high-quality bearing steel obtained through different deoxidation methods

Xiao

Bao

et al. 2021

Int J Miner Metall Mater

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The mechanism of oxide inclusions in fatigue crack initiation in the very-high cycle fatigue (VHCF) regime was clarified by subjecting bearing steels deoxidized by Al (Al-deoxidized steel) and Si (Si-deoxidized steel) to ultrasonic tension-compression fatigue tests (stress ratio, R = −1) and analyzing the characteristics of the detected inclusions. Results show that the main types of inclusions in Si-and Al-deoxidized steels are silicate and calcium aluminate, respectively. The content of calcium aluminate inclusions larger than 15 µm in Si-deoxidized steel is lower than that in Al-deoxidized steel, and the difference observed may be attributed to different inclusion generation processes during melting. Despite differences in their cleanliness and total oxygen contents, the Si-and Al-deoxidized steels show similar VHCF lives. The factors causing fatigue failure in these steels reveal distinct differences. Calcium aluminate inclusions are responsible for the cracks in Al-deoxidized steel. By comparison, most fatigue cracks in Si-deoxidized steel are triggered by the inhomogeneity of a steel matrix, which indicates that the damage mechanisms of the steel matrix can be a critical issue for this type of steel. A minor portion of the cracks in Si-deoxidized steel could be attributed to different types of inclusions. The mechanisms of fatigue fracture caused by calcium aluminate and silicate inclusions were further analyzed. Calcium aluminate inclusions first separate from the steel matrix and then trigger crack generation. Silicate inclusions and the steel matrix are closely combined in a fatigue process; thus, these inclusions have mild effects on the fatigue life of bearing steels. Si/Mn deoxidation is an effective method to produce high-quality bearing steel with a long fatigue life and good liquid steel fluidity.

show abstract

Research status of inclusions in bearing steel and discussion on non-alloy deoxidation process

Lei

Zhu

Guo

2022

J. Iron Steel Res. Int.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Improvement of the Rolling Contact Fatigue Resistance in Bearing Steels by Adjusting the Composition of Oxide Inclusions

Cited by 7 publications

References 2 publications

Effect of Silicon–Manganese Deoxidation on Oxygen Content and Inclusions in Molten Steel

Effect of Silicon–Manganese Deoxidation on Oxygen Content and Inclusions in Molten Steel

Ultrahigh cycle fatigue fracture mechanism of high-quality bearing steel obtained through different deoxidation methods

Research status of inclusions in bearing steel and discussion on non-alloy deoxidation process

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About