Current Status of Metallurgical Quality and Fatigue Performance of Rolling Bearing Steel and Development Direction of High-End Bearing Steel

This paper reviewed the development history of the first generation bearing steel GCr15, the second generation bearing steels M50 and M50NiL, and the third generation bearing steels Cronidur30 and CSS-42L. The fourth generation bearing alloy characterized by light weight is put forward. Based on the analysis of metallurgical quality and fatigue properties of traditional bearing steel, the direction of metallurgical quality control of bearing steel with fine quality and homogenization of large particle inclusions and carbide was proposed, and the contact fatigue control mechanism of bearing steel and two different anti-fatigue mechanisms of carbide control were revealed. According to the latest development of quality control technology and quantitative characterization technology for traditional bearing steel GCr15, the development direction of quality control for high-end bearing steel is proposed. Through the research on the overall heat treatment technology and surface carburizing technology of superfine matrix and carbide of bearing steel GCr15 and CSS-42L steel, the double heat treatment and surface superhardening heat treatment are innovatively developed, which can increase the contact fatigue life of bearing steel GCr15 at room temperature to 5 times and more than 10 times, respectively. Finally, it is pointed out that the application of quantitative inspection and testing technology is an important guarantee for high-performance bearing steel with good metallurgical quality and high performance.