The present invention relates to a rolling bearing used in speed reducers, drive pinions, transmissions and the like, and more particularly it relates to a rolling bearing having a long life in respect of rolling fatigue characteristics, and having high degrees of anti-crack strength and secular dimensional change resistance.
As a heat treating method which gives a long life withstanding the rolling fatigue of bearing components, there is a method in which carbonitriding is applied to the surface layer of a bearing component as by adding ammonia gas to an atmosphere RX gas at the time of hardening heating (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Hei 8-4774, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Hei 11-101247). Using this carbonitriding makes it possible to harden the surface layer and to grow retained austenite in the microstructure, thereby improving the rolling fatigue life.
Carbonitriding requires holding high temperature for a prolonged time for diffusion treatment purposes, resulting in coarsening the structure which, in turn, makes it difficult to improve crack strength, thus leaving room for improvement in this respect. Further, there is also room for improvement in respect of an increase in secular dimensional change rate due to an increase in retained austenite.
On the other hand, securement of a long life withstanding rolling fatigue, improvement in crack strength, and prevention of an increase in secular dimensional change rate can be achieved by alloy design of steel. However, alloy design poses problems, such as an increase in raw material cost.
Future bearing components are required to have characteristics enabling use at high temperatures under higher loading conditions as loads and temperatures in environments for use increase. Therefore, bearing components having a long life in respect of rolling fatigue characteristics and having high degrees of crack strength and dimensional stability will be required.
An object of the invention is to provide a rolling bearing having high degrees of anti-crack strength and dimensional stability and superior in rolling fatigue life.
An rolling bearing of the present invention having an inner ring, outer ring and a plurality of rolling elements, characterized in that at least one of the members, the inner ring, outer ring and rolling elements, has an nitrogen rich layer and in that the grain size number of austenitic crystal grains in said nitrogen rich layer exceeds the number 10.
The nitrogen rich layer is a layer in which the nitrogen content in the surface layer of the raceway ring (outer ring or inner ring) or a rolling element is increased and which can be formed by such treatment as carbonitriding, nitriding or nitrogenizing. The nitrogen content in the nitrogen rich layer is preferably in the range of 0.1-0.7%. If the nitrogen content is less than 0.1%, there is no effectiveness, and the rolling life decreases particularly under foreign matter mixed-in conditions. If the nitrogen content is greater than 0.7%, voids are formed or the retained austenite becomes too much, resulting in loss of hardness or a short life. Concerning the nitrogen rich layer formed in a raceway ring, the nitrogen content refers to its value measured in the 50 μm-deep layer of the raceway surface after grinding. It can be measured, e.g. by EPMA (wavelength diffusion type X-ray micro analyzer).
Further, the fact that the austenite grain size is so small that the grain size number of the austenite crystal grains exceed the number 10, makes it possible to greatly improve the rolling fatigue life. If the grain size number of the austenite grain diameter is the grain size number 10 or less, the rolling fatigue life will not be improved so much; thus, the range should exceed the number 10. Usually, the grain size number should be 11 or more. The smaller the austenite grain size, the more desirable. However, usually, it is hard to obtain a grain size number which exceeds 13. In addition, the austenite grains in said bearing component do not change in the surface layer having the nitrogen rich layer or in the interior inside the same. Therefore, the above-described crystal grain size applies not only to the surface layer but also to the interior of the bearing component. Even after hardening treatment, traces of austenite crystal grain boundaries present immediately before hardening remain, and austenite crystal grains refer to the crystal grains based on the traces, i.e. a vestige of the austenite grain boundary remains in the microstructure and is referred to as the prior austenite grain boundary. The term “austenite grain” here refers to prior austenite grain.
In the rolling bearing of the present invention, since formation of a nitrogen rich layer is followed by fine reduction of austenite grain size to the number 11 or more in terms of grain size number, the rolling fatigue life is greatly improved and superior anti-crack strength and secular dimensional change resistance can be obtained.
The surface layer hardness of the nitrogen rich layer is the range of Hv 700 or more, preferably Hv 720-800. If it is below Hv 700, the life for foreign matter mixed-in decreases. On the other hand, if it exceeds Hv 800, the carbide tends to become too large, leading to the possibility of stress concentration.
Further, when the amount of retained austenite is 11% or so, the foreign matter mixed-in lubrication life decreases, and if it is less than 11%, the foreign matter mixed-in lubrication life tends to further decrease. On the other hand, if the amount of retained austenite is greater than 25%, the amount of retained austenite becomes no different from that for the usual carbonitriding treatment, so that suppression of secular dimensional change becomes impossible. Concerning the raceway ring, the amount of retained austenite is its value measured in the 50 μm-deep layer of the raceway surface after grinding, and can be measured, e.g., by comparison of diffraction intensities for martensite α (211) and retained austenite γ (220) measured by X-ray diffraction.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described using the drawings.
A heat treatment including carbonitriding will be described as a concrete example for forming a nitrogen rich layer.
The heat treatments described above make it possible to improve crack strength and decrease secular dimensional change rate while carbonitriding the surface layer portion, more than in the case of the conventional carbonitriding hardening, i.e., carbonitriding immediately followed by hardening once. The rolling bearing of the invention produced by the heat treatment pattern shown in
Examples of the invention will now be described.
Using the JIS SUJ2 Material (1.0 wt % C-0.25 wt % Si-0.4 wt % Mn-1.5 wt % Cr), (1) measurement of hydrogen content, (2) measurement of crystal grain size, (3) Charpy impact test, (4) measurement of breaking stress, and (5) rolling fatigue test were performed. Table 1 shows the results.
The production history of each sample is as follows. Samples A-D (examples of the invention): carbonitriding temperature, 850° C.; the hold time, 150 minutes. The atmosphere was a mixture of RX gas and ammonia gas. In the heat treatment patter shown in
Samples E and F (comparative examples): carbonitriding was performed in the same histories of the examples of the invention A-D; and the secondary hardening temperature, 850-870° C. which is higher than the carbonitriding temperature 850° C.
Conventional carbonitrided article (comparative example): carbonitriding temperature, 850° C.; and the hold time, 150 minutes. The atmosphere was a mixture of RX gas and ammonia gas. The article was hardened directly from the carbonitriding temperature, with no secondary hardening.
Ordinary hardened article (comparative example): without carbonitriding, the article was heated to 850° C. and hardened, with no secondary hardening.
The testing method will now be described.
(1) Measurement of Hydrogen Content
Concerning hydrogen content, non-diffusive hydrogen content in steel was analyzed by a LECO Company-made DH-103 type hydrogen analyzer. Diffusive hydrogen content was not measured. The specifications of the LECO Company-made DH-103 type hydrogen analyzer are shown below.
The measurement procedures are roughly as follows. Samples are taken by exclusive samplers and the individual samplers are inserted into said hydrogen analyzer. The diffusive hydrogen in the interior is led to a heat conductivity detector by nitrogen carrier gas. In the examples, this diffusive hydrogen was not measured. Then, the samples are taken out of the samplers and heated in a resistance heating furnace, and the non-diffusive hydrogen is led to the heat conductivity detector by nitrogen carrier gas. Measuring the heat conductivity in the heat conductivity detector makes it possible to know the non-diffusive hydrogen content.
(2) Measurement of Crystal Grain Size
Measurement of crystal grain size was made on the basis of an austenite crystal grain size test method for JIS G 0551 Steel.
(3) Charpy Impact Test
Charpy impact test was performed on the basis of a Charpy impact test method for JIS Z 2242 Metal Material. The test pieces used were U-notch test pieces (JIS NO. 3 Test Pieces) shown in JIS Z 2202.
(4) Measurement of Breaking Stress
Let σ1 and σ2 be the fiber stresses in the concave and convex surfaces of the test piece of
σ1=(N/A)+{M/(Aρ0)}[1+e1/{κ(ρ0+e1)}]
σ2=(N/A)+{M/(Aρ0)}[1−e2/{κ(ρ0−e2)}]
κ=−(1/A)∫A{η/(ρ0+η)}dA
(5) Rolling Fatigue Life
Test conditions for rolling fatigue life test are shown in Table 2. Further,
The test results of the example I shown in Table 1 are described below.
(1) Hydrogen Content
A conventional carbonitrided article, as carbonitrided, has a very high value of 0.72 ppm. This is thought to be due to the fact that the ammonia (NH3) contained in an atmosphere for carbonitriding decomposes and hydrogen enters the steel. In contrast, the samples B-D have their hydrogen content reduced to almost half, 0.37-0.40 ppm. This hydrogen content is on the same level as that of ordinary hardened articles.
The above-mentioned reduction in hydrogen content makes it possible to reduce the brittleness of steel due to solution of hydrogen in a solid. That is, by the reduction in hydrogen content, the Charpy impact values of the samples B-D of the invention are greatly improved.
(2) Crystal Grain Size
Concerning crystal grain size, in the case where the secondary hardening temperature is lower than the temperature for hardening (primary hardening) at the time of carbonitriding, that is, in the case of the samples B-D, austenite grains are remarkably finely reduced in size to the extent of the crystal grain numbers 11-12. The austenite grains in the samples E and F, and in the conventional carbonitrided article and ordinary hardened article are of the crystal grain size number 10, which means that they are coarser crystal grains than in the samples B-D of the present invention.
(3) Charpy Impact Test
According to Table 1, as compared with the Charpy impact value of the conventional carbonitrided article being 5.33 J/cm2, the Charpy impact values of the samples B-D of the invention are as high as 6.30-6.65 J/cm2. Of these samples, those which are lower in secondary hardening temperature tend to increase in Charpy impact value. The Charpy impact value of the ordinary hardened article is as high as 6.70 J/cm2.
(4) Measurement of Breaking Stress
The breaking stress corresponds to anti-crack strength. According to Table 1, the breaking stress value of the conventional carbonitrided article is 2330 MPa. As compared with this, the breaking stress values obtained of the samples B-D have been improved, being 2650-2840 MPa. The breaking stress value of the ordinary hardened article is 2770 MPa, and the improved anti-crack strength of the samples B-D is assumed to be largely due to the effect of the reduction of hydrogen content, as well as the effect of the fine size reduction of austenite crystal grains.
(5) Rolling Fatigue Test
According to Table 1, reflecting the fact that the ordinary hardened article does not have a carbonitrided layer in the surface layer, the rolling fatigue life L10 is at a minimum. As compared with this, the rolling fatigue life of the conventional carbonitrided article is 3.1 times as high. The rolling fatigue life of the samples B-D is improved much more than that of the conventional carbonitrided article. The samples E and F are substantially the same in this point as the conventional carbonitrided article. To summarize, the samples B-D of the invention have their hydrogen content reduced, austenite crystal grain size reduced in size to the number 11 or more, and Charpy impact value, anti-crack strength and rolling fatigue life all improved.
An example II will now be described. A series of test were conducted on the following X-material, Y-material and Z-material. The heat treatment raw material used was JIS SUJ2 MATERIAL (1.0 WT % C-0.25 wt % Si-0.4 wt % Mn-1.5 wt % Cr), applied commonly to the X-material-Z-material. The production histories of the X-material-Z-material are as follows.
(1) Rolling Fatigue Life
The rolling fatigue life test conditions and test device, as described above, are as shown in Table 2 and
According to Table 3, the Y-material in the comparative example exhibits 3.1 times the L10 life (life such that one of 10 test pieces breaks) of the X-material, also in the comparative example, having ordinary hardening alone applied thereto; a life prolongation effect due to carbonitriding is recognized. In contrast, the Z-material of the invention exhibits a long life which is 1.74 times the life of the B-material and 5.4 times the life of the X-material. The main factor of this improvement is thought to be due to fine size reduction of microstructure.
(2) Charpy Impact Test
The Charpy impact test was performed using U-notch test pieces by a method based on said JIS Z2242. Test results are shown in Table 4.
The Charpy impact test of the Y-material (comparative example) subjected to carbonitriding was not higher than that of the X-material (comparative example) subjected to ordinary hardening, but the Z-material was equal in this value to the X-material.
(3) Test for Hydrostatic Fracture Toughness Value
K1c=(PL√a/BW2){5.8−9.2(a/W)+43.6(a/W)2−75.3(a/W)3+77.5(a/W)4} (1)
Since the pre-crack depth was greater than the carbonitrided layer depth, there was no difference between the comparative example X-material and Y-material. However, the Z-material of the invention obtained about 1.2 times the value for the comparative examples.
(4) Hydrostatic Crush Strength Test
The hydrostatic crush strength test piece used, as described above, was one shaped as shown in
The Y-material subjected to carbonitriding has a lower value than the X-material subjected to ordinary hardening. However, the Z-material of the example of invention is improved in hydrostatic crush strength over the Y-material and attains a level which compares favorably with that of the X-material.
(5) Secular Dimensional Change Rate
The results of measurement of secular dimensional change rate at a hold temperature of 130° C., for a hold time of 500 hours, are shown in Table 7 together with the surface hardness and the amount of retained austenite (at a depth of 50 μm).
It can be seen that as compared with the dimensional change rate of the Y-material having much retained austenite, that of the Z-material of the example of invention is suppressed to half or less.
(6) Rolling Life Test Under Foreign Matter Mixed-in Conditions
Using a ball bearing 6206, the rolling fatigue life under foreign matter mixed-in conditions with a predetermined amount of standard foreign matter mixed-in was evaluated. The test conditions are shown in Table 8, and the test results are shown in Table 9.
As compared with the X-material, the Y-material subjected to the conventional carbonitriding exhibited a long life which was about 2.5 times as high. Further, the Z-material of the example of invention obtained a long life which was 2.3 times as high. The Z-material of the example of invention, though low in retained austenite content as compared with the Y-material of comparative example, has obtained a long life of substantially the same degree due to the influence of entrance of nitrogen and to finely reduced microstructure.
It has been found from the above results that the Z-material, i.e., the example of the invention can simultaneously satisfy three items, the prolongation of rolling fatigue life, improvement in crack strength, and reduction of secular dimensional change rate, which have been difficult to achieve by the conventional carbonitriding.
Table 10 shows the results of tests conducted on the relation between nitrogen content and rolling life under foreign matter mixed-in conditions. In addition, the comparative example 1 is a standard hardened article, and the comparative example 2 is a standard carbonitrided article. The comparative example 3 corresponds to the case in which the same treatment as in the example of the invention is applied but the nitrogen content alone is excessive. The test conditions are as follows. Sample bearing: tapered roller bearing 30206 (the inner and outer rings and rollers are made of high carbon chromium bearing steel class 2 (SUJ2) based on JIS).
It can be seen from Table 10 that concerning examples 1-5, the nitrogen content and foreign matter life are in substantially proportional relation. However, for the comparative example 3 with a nitrogen content of 0.72, in the light of the rolling life with foreign matter mixed-in being extremely lowered, it is preferable that the upper limit of nitrogen content be 0.7.
From the examples II and III, it can be seen that the preferable range of retained austenite content is 11-25%. The retained austenite content is measured, for example, by comparison between the diffraction intensities of martensite α (211) and retained austenite γ (220) determined by X-ray diffraction. Values are taken at a depth of 50 μm in the surface layers of the raceway ring and rolling element after grinding.
The embodiments disclosed this time shall be taken to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is intended to be indicated by Claims, not by the above description, and all modifications that are within the meaning equivalent to Claims and scope are intended to be included in the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2003-352988 | Oct 2003 | JP | national |
2003-352991 | Oct 2003 | JP | national |
2003-352992 | Oct 2003 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2004/014776 | 9/30/2004 | WO | 00 | 10/20/2006 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2005/036003 | 4/21/2005 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5658082 | Tsushima et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
6290398 | Fujiwara et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6488789 | Tajima et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
20030123769 | Ohki | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20050141799 | Uyama et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
4-141572 | May 1992 | JP |
7-216497 | Aug 1995 | JP |
8-4774 | Jan 1996 | JP |
9-53148 | Feb 1997 | JP |
11101247 | Apr 1999 | JP |
2001-73072 | Mar 2001 | JP |
2002-364648 | Dec 2002 | JP |
2003-226919 | Aug 2003 | JP |
2003-227518 | Aug 2003 | JP |
2004-232669 | Aug 2004 | JP |
2004-257556 | Sep 2004 | JP |
9844270 | Oct 1998 | WO |
2005036003 | Apr 2004 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070151633 A1 | Jul 2007 | US |