In today’s increasingly electrified world, machine elements are often located near electric motors and generators, where they can be exposed to stray currents. Electric vehicles and wind turbines are prime examples of where this issue can arise. These stray currents can significantly impact tribological contacts, accelerating subsurface alterations in the steel and leading to premature failures through pitting.
This phenomenon, known as electrically induced white etching cracks (eWECs), poses a major challenge to the durability and reliability of critical components.
At Ingram Tribology Ltd, we have expanded our testing capabilities to simulate these conditions. Our advanced setup now allows us to pass a controlled current through a rolling contact fatigue instrument, enabling the rapid generation of eWECs. This testing approach offers lubricant manufacturers, additive chemists, and material scientists the opportunity to study these effects and develop innovative technologies to prevent them.
If you’re interested in collaborating to solve this challenge with your technology, get in touch! We’re here to help you drive innovation and push the boundaries of tribological research.
