Detecting AE Signals from Natural Degradation of Slow Speed Rolling Element Bearings

Rolling element bearing diagnosis using high frequency Acoustic Emission (AE) signals has been on-going since the late 1960’s. This paper attempts to demonstrate the use of AE measurements to detect natural defect initiation and propagation in a rolling element bearing. To facilitate the investigation a special purpose test-rig was built to allow for accelerated natural degradation of a bearing race. It is concluded that sub-surface initiation and crack propagation is detectable with AE technology.