Crack Forms Sensitivity-Based Prediction on Subsurface Cracks Depth in Ultrasonic-Vibration-Assisted Grinding of Optical Glasses

Subsurface cracks in ultrasonic-vibration-assisted grinding (UVAG) of optical glasses often exhibit diverse forms and proportions. Due to the variety of loads involved in crack formation and propagation, the crack forms and propagation depths have different sensitivities to each process parameter. Predicting the maximum subsurface cracks depth (MSSCD) by considering the varying effects of process parameters plays a key role in implementing effective control of the UVAG process. In this work, the subsurface crack forms and their proportions are investigated by conducting 40 sets of UVAG experiments. The varying effects of the grinding and ultrasonic parameters on the crack form proportions are unveiled by using grey relational analysis. The weighted least square support vector machine (WLS-SVM) prediction model for the MSSCD was developed. Twelve sets of UVAG experiments were carried out to validate the proposed model. The results show that arc-shaped cracks and bifurcated cracks account for 72.5% of all cracks, while ultrasonic vibration amplitude influences most of the proportions of arc-shaped and bifurcated cracks. Compared to other widely used prediction methods, the maximum and average relative prediction errors of the proposed model are 10.54% and 5.59%, respectively, which proves the high prediction accuracy of the model.

Effects of solid friction modifier on friction and rolling contact fatigue damage of wheel-rail surfaces

In railway network, friction is an important factor to consider in terms of the service behaviors of wheel-rail system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a solid friction modifier (FM) in a railway environment. This was achieved by studying the friction, wear, and rolling contact fatigue (RCF) damage on the wheel-rail materials at different slip ratios. The results showed that when a solid FM was applied, the friction coefficient decreased. After the solid FM was separated from the wheel-rail interface, the friction coefficient gradually increased to its original level. With the application of the solid FM, the wear rates of the wheel-rail decreased. In addition, the thickness and hardness of the plastic deformation layers of the wheel-rail materials were reduced. The worn surfaces of the wheel-rail were dominated by pits and RCF cracks. Without the FM, RCF cracks ranged from 84 to 120 µm, and subsurface cracks were generated. However, with the FM, RCF cracks ranged from 17 to 97 µm and no subsurface cracks were generated. These findings indicate possible methods of improving the performance of railway rolling stock by managing friction, and reducing wear and permanent RCF damage affecting both the wheels and rails.

Observation of Surface and Subsurface Crack Propagation in PPS Thrust Bearings under Rolling Contact Fatigue in Water

In this study, crack propagation in PPS thrust bearings under rolling contact fatigue (RCF) in water was observed in order to investigate the relation between cracks and flakings. RCF tests in water under loads of 700 N and 900 N were performed. The semi-circular cracks propagated in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction were observed under a load of 700 N. The line cracks propagated in a direction parallel to the rolling direction at periphery of contact area and the semi-circular cracks were observed under a load of 900 N. To study the subsurface cracks, full section of rolling contact area was observed. It is concluded that the flaking mechanism in PPS thrust bearing has three features as follows: Initiation and propagation of surface cracks depend on the load; When load is 700N, the semi-circular cracks growing from the surface and the cracks branching from the main subsurface cracks join to form the flaking; When load is 900N the line cracks and the semi-circular cracks growing from the surface join to form the flaking.

Internal Shear Stress Distribution and Subsurface Cracks of PPS Thrust Bearings under Rolling Contact Fatigue in Water

In this study, crack propagation in PPS thrust bearings under rolling contact fatigue (RCF) in water was observed, and relation between subsurface crack and internal shear stress parallel to the surface was investigated. It was found the cause of flaking was subsurface crack. They were evaluated in terms of contact stress and friction between their faces. It was discovered that subsurface cracks distributed around shear stress peak, and flaking failure was dominated by subsurface shear stress.