A novel oxide layer for achieving ultra-high rolling contact fatigue life of bearing steel

This study introduces a novel method to enhance the rolling contact fatigue life of bearing steel by forming a crease-like oxide layer on the contact surface. This strengthening way is proposed based on the damage mechanism and ultra-high life in dispersion of fatigue life. Different from conventional surface modification pretreatment methods, this oxide layer can be formed through the reaction of the bearing steel surface with lubricating oil under cyclic rolling stress. This oxide layer can make the fatigue life of bearing steel get comprehensive improvement by delaying subsurface microstructure decay and reducing the likelihood of surface initiation failure.