The Effects of Particulate Contamination in Rolling Bearings—a State of the Art Review

Abstract
The role played by particulate contamination in rolling contacts has formed the subject of much research in recent years. Bearing-steel quality has improved to a level where the long established sub-surface-inclusion based fatigue failures are being replaced by surface or near-surface initiated failures caused by surface defects resulting mainly from rolled-in debris particles. The paper reviews the reasons and mechanisms involved, and shows how particle material, size, concentration and hardness can all have effects on bearing reliability.