The mechanisms governing crack and pit formation in steel in rolling sliding contact in aqueous lubricants

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the fatigue damage of steel surfaces operated in rolling/sliding contact conditions in the presence of water glycol-based fire resistant fluids. It has been shown that pitting life depends on the relative magnitude of fluid film thickness and the lubrication regime in which the system is operated. A minimum in pitting life is shown to occur in the mixed-elastohydrodynamic region. Mechanisms for crack initiation, propagation and subsequent pit formation in aqueous lubricants are proposed.