Failure analysis in contact elements (bearings and gears)

Components subject to contact forces present specific pathologies that are very different to all other industrial components, so, in the event of failure, it is vital to identify the pathology affecting the failed component and analyse the key factors in the failure process.

These components are typically bearings and gears, to which levers, hinges, couplings, etc. can be added, whose pathologies have specific characteristics which are very different to all other industrial components subject to tensile strength, bending and compression forces.

In any case, like in all other components, the most common failure mode is still fatigue processes

In fatigue mechanisms known as Spalling or Surface Distress, depending on the scale to which it occurs, the damage morphology is in the form of chipping.

In addition to the aforementioned mechanisms, others may arise, such as Galling, Mild Wear, Fretting, Denting, etc., which may be the precursors or result of fatigue mechanisms Therefore, identifying and establishing the logical sequence of pathologies in the failure sequence is essential to fulfil the objective, which is none other than establishing the root cause of the failure.