Citation:
M. Elforjani & D. Mba, Assessment of natural crack initiation and its propagation in slow speed
bearings, Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation,
Volume 24, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 261-275.
Abstract:
Monitoring of bearings is an essential part of most condition monitoring
programmes in rotating machinery. This paper demonstrates the use of acoustic
emission (AE) measurements to detect, monitor and locate natural defect
initiation and propagation in a thrust rolling element bearing. To undertake
this task a special purpose test-rig was built that allowed for accelerated
natural degradation of a bearing race. It is concluded that sub-surface
initiation and subsequent crack propagation can be detected using a range of
time and frequency domain analysis techniques on AE's generated from natural
degrading bearings. The paper also investigates the source characterisation of
AE signals associated with a defective bearing whilst in operation.