Comparison of Life Theories for Rolling-Element Bearings

Nearly five decades have passed since G. Lundberg and A. Palmgren published their life theory in 1947 and 1952 and it was adopted as an ANSI/ABMA and ISO standard in 1950 and 1953. Subsequently, many variations and deviations from their life theory have been proposed, the most recent being that of E. Ioannides and T. A. Harris in 1985. This paper presents a critical analysis comparing the results of different life theories and discussing their implications in the design and analysis of rolling-element bearings. Variations in the stress-life relation and in the critical stress related to bearing life are discussed using stress fields obtained from three-dimensional, finite-element analysis of a ball in a nonconforming race under varying load. The results showed that for a ninth power stress-life exponent the Lundberg-Palmgren theory best predicts life as exhibited by most air-melted bearing steels. For a 12th power relation reflected by modern bearing steels, a Zaretsky-modified Weibull equation is superior. The assumption of a fatigue-limiting stress distorts the stress-life exponent and overpredicts life.