Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 February 2013
The bearing is one of the most important components of rotating machines. Nevertheless,in normal conditions of use, it is subject to fatigue which creates a defect called arolling fatigue spalling. In this work, we present a follow-up of the thrust bearingfatigue on a test bench. Vibration analysis is a method used to characterize the defect.In order to obtain the fatigue curve more adjusted, we have studied the vibration levelaccording to statistical indicators: the Root Mean Square value (RMS value), which is oneof the best indicators to show the evolution of the bearing degradation. The approachfollows the working of the bearing until the degradation with an on line acquisition ofvibration statements in form of time signals. With the signal treatment, we obtain thevalues of the vibration amplitudes which characterize the vibration state of the bearing.Consequently, these values allow us to plot the fatigue curves. During our experimentalwork, this operation is applied for a batch of thrust bearings for which we have obtainedsimilar fatigue curves where the evolution trend follows a regression model from thedetection of the onset of the first spall. The result of this work will contribute topredict the working residual time before failure.