Article,
Microstructural characterization of white etching cracks in bearings after long-term operation in wind turbines
Contributors
Danielsen, Hilmar Kjartansson
0000-0001-9158-7545
(Corresponding author)
[1]
Hong, Chuanshi
0000-0003-0803-0151
[1]
Mishin, Oleg V
0000-0002-2669-3453
[1]
Affiliations
- [1] Technical University of Denmark [NORA names: DTU Technical University of Denmark; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]
Abstract
White etching cracks and other microstructural features have been investigated in two 100Cr6 steel bearings failed after several years of service in wind turbines. It is found that cracks in these bearings propagate predominantly through prior austenite grains in the tempered martensite structure. Both sharp and gradual transitions between the tempered martensite structure and white etching matter adjacent to the cracks are observed. Furthermore, it is suggested that structural refinement of carbide particles present in the microstructure of the wind turbine bearings occurred at a late stage of white etching matter formation.
Keywords
austenite grains,
bearings,
carbide,
carbide particles,
crack,
features,
formation,
gradual transition,
grain,
late stage,
long-term operation,
martensitic structure,
matter,
matter formation,
microstructural characterization,
microstructural features,
microstructure,
operation,
particles,
refinement,
services,
steel,
steel bearings,
structure,
structure refinement,
transition,
turbine,
turbine bearings,
white etching cracks,
white etching matter,
wind,
wind turbine bearings,
wind turbines,
years,
years of service
