Papers by Author: Hitonobu Koike

Abstract: Fatigue failure of steel occurs when cracks form in a component and continue to grow to a size large enough to cause rupture. In order to understand the crack initiation and propagation phenomena, non-destructive evaluation methods that can be correlated to in-situ measurements around the crack tips are necessary. In the present work, we developed a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) equipped in a GaAs film sensor to observe fatigue cracks at room temperature in air while they were growing. Medium carbon low alloy steels specimens (JIS S45C) were used in the experiments. Only the area around the crack tip was magnetized and the changes at the crack tips were observed.

Abstract: Fatigue failure of steel occurs when cracks form in a component and continue to grow to a size large enough to cause fracture. In order to understand the strength of a steel component, it is important to locate these cracks. We developed a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM), equipped with GaAs film sensors to observe fatigue cracks at room temperature in air while they were growing. In our previous works [1,2], the correlation between crack growth and magnetic field in high carbon tool steels (JIS SKS93 and JIS SUJ2) were determined. We also reported the sensitivity of the SHPM equipped with a three-dimensional line-probe that was developed to decrease the sensor gaps. By using the line-probe sensor we succeeded to measure the magnetic flux density distributions in very close proximity to the specimen’s surface. However, in order to further understand the relation between magnetic flux density and crack growth, other materials, microstructures and fatigue test conditions should be evaluated. In the present work, we focus on the effect of stress ratios on the changes of the magnetic flux density in annealed carbon tool steel.

Abstract: The influence of gas nitriding of commercial pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) alloy by using a Q-sw laser on the wear loss during rolling contact fatigue is investigated. Despite very good biocompatibility, high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance, the tribological properties of titanium alloys are inferior to those of other metal alloys, such as steel. Fretting and wear related aspects become important issues when titanium alloys are used in rolling contact applications. Titanium bearings are employed in applications requiring high strength, light weight, and minimum maintenance (for example, aerospace and defense industries). In this work, a Q-sw laser was used to coat pure commercial titanium and Ti-6Al-4V bearings with TiN in a closed chamber in nitrogen atmosphere. The samples were tested under water by using a thrust-type rolling contact fatigue machine. The microstructure, morphology and crystallographic texture of the layers were observed by laser confocal microscope, scanning electron microscope and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). By optimizing the laser processing parameters, such as laser scanning speed, power and beam diameter, thin TiN coats of 1 to 3 mm were produced. The wear loss of the coated samples was at least ten times lower than that of the uncoated bearings.

Abstract: Radial ball bearings made of metal, ceramics and plastics are commonly used as important components in industrial machinery. Usage of high performance engineering plastic polymers is increasing progressively as a replacement for metal components due to the latest markets demands. Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is a promising material for precision-machined custom bearings, products that are expected to suit special market needs. In the present study, PEEK radial ball bearings were manufactured by lathe machining under different parameters and their rolling contact fatigue (RCF) resistance under water lubricated conditions was investigated. We observed the surface of the bearings prior and after testing by laser confocal microscope. The wear loss was measured by weighing the bearings before and after test. Cracks and/or flaking failures were identified on the bearing surface after testing. From the RCF tests results, we found that, at water lubricated conditions, crack initiation occurred later in the material that was machined at slower feed rate while at dry condition, the feed rate had little influence on the wear loss and cracking. Wear loss in the case of bearings tested under water was much less severe than that of bearings tested at dry conditions.

Abstract: Martensitic high carbon high strength SAE 52100 bearing steel is one of the main alloys used for rolling contact applications when high wear and fatigue resistance are required. Refining the microstructure of steel improves its mechanical properties (e.g. toughness). In this work SAE 52100 specimens were exposed to repeated induction heating process and rotation bending tests were performed using single- and repeatedly heat-treated material in order to investigate the influence of this cyclic heat treatment on the mechanical properties of SAE 52100. In an attempt to determine the effect of the repeated induction heating and quenching on the material, we focused our observations on the internal fatigue “fisheye" cracks. It was noted that crack propagation was successfully halted by the refined microstructure in heat affected zone, therefore it can be concluded that repeated induction heating and quenching processes help to slow down the propagation of fisheye cracks in SAE52100 steel bars.

Abstract: The influence of gas nitriding of commercial pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) alloy by using a Q-sw laser on the wear loss during rolling contact fatigue is investigated. Despite very good biocompatibility, high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance, the tribological properties of titanium alloys are inferior to those of other metal alloys, such as steel. Fretting and wear related aspects become important issues when titanium alloys are used in rolling contact applications. Titanium bearings are employed in applications requiring high strength, light weight, and minimum maintenance (for example, aerospace and defense industries). In this work, a Q-sw laser was used to coat pure commercial titanium and Ti-6Al-4V bearings with TiN in a closed chamber in nitrogen atmosphere. The samples were tested under water by using a thrust-type rolling contact fatigue machine. The microstructure, morphology and crystallographic texture of the layers were observed by laser confocal microscope, scanning electron microscope and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). By optimizing the laser processing parameters, such as laser scanning speed, power and beam diameter, thin TiN coats of 1 to 3 m were produced. The wear loss of the coated samples was at least ten times lower than that of the uncoated bearings.

Abstract: Nowadays, due to strict environmental requirements, the automotive industry has been reducing vehicle weight in order to minimize the CO2 emission. This had led to an increase in the demand for plastic car parts as a replacement for formerly metal components. Poly ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) has a high glass transition temperature of 143°C, good friction and heat resistance, and can be easily machined. Due to these characteristics, PEEK is already being widely applied in the production of various car parts, such as seat adjustment parts, transmission parts, oil-pump parts etc. In the present study, PEEK bearings were produced by machining and their rolling contact fatigue (RCF) under non-lubricated conditions was investigated. Under high radial load, seizure in the inner bearing part occurred while under low radial load, there was failure by adhesive wear. Exposed to medium load between 85.6N and 93.1N, however, the bearings achieved relatively long lives of over 1.0x10E6 cycles, as well as a unique feature of self-lubrication that rid the raceway of micro depressions, deposits or smearing.