Premature fatigue failure is observed in rolling element bearings used in wind turbine components. It is believed that decomposed hydrogen from the lubricant diffuses into the surface of the bearing inner ring making it susceptible to failure. An attempt is made to simulate the formation of these cracks by accelerated laboratory tests. Hydrogen is artificially infused into the surface of ring specimens and the rings are then press fit onto shafts. This introduces a tensile Hoop Stress in the rings. The rings are then run against each other until fracture of one of the rings is observed. Preliminary test results show a failure characteristics similar to those observed in the inner rings of rolling element bearings used in service.
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