1999 Volume 40 Issue 2 Pages 92-97
We measured the depth distribution of Leaky surface acoustic wave (LSAW) velocity using a scanning acoustic microscope (SAM), for several inner rings of bearings tested for various revolution times, in order to evaluate rolling contact fatigue of rolling bearing. Both residual stress and half-value width of their inner rings were measured by the X-ray diffraction method, for comparison with the behavior of LSAW velocity. Although the dependence of rolling contact fatigue on revolution time was not recognized in the distributions of both X-ray parameters under this test condition, it was observed in the distribution of LSAW velocity. We confirmed that the SAM is an effective tool to evaluate the degree of rolling contact fatigue of bearings.