| Abstract Scope |
Most of the suspension articulations of trucs and trailers are nowadays done with high chromium bearing steels (AISI 52100 Series or 100Cr6, WN°1.3505) spherical plain bearings (Steel/Steel phosphated Pairs or Hard Chromium/PTFE Fabrics interface) working not even under very versatile combined loadings and angular position conditions (Damping systems, Trailer height modification devices) but also under quiet strongly "aggressive" environmental conditions (Water, Moisture, Salt, Sand and other Road Pollution chips, Working temperatures ranges). This presentation will describe the case of a completely failed through angular contact spherical plain bearing suspension articulation. After having checked the main material properties and heat treatment requirements in terms of hardness and hardness depth, it will be also make emphasize on the main root causes found for this failure showing in details the analysis methodology used. A review of possible future solutions to avoid such kind of "extreme" failure will conclude this speech. |