A Comparative Study on Electrical Erosion of Ceramic Ball Bearings and Steel Ball Bearings Under Different Shaft Voltage Frequencies

HUANG Qirui; WANG Mengchao; CHENG Jianhua; LI Yuhang; PANG Xianjuan; SONG Chenfei; ZHANG Yongzhen

doi:10.15926/j.cnki.issn1672-6871.2026.01.010

Abstract：This study aimed at the problem of bearing electrical corrosion caused by high-frequency alternating electric field such as new energy vehicles and wind power generation.The ceramic ball bearings and steel ball bearings were used to conduct bearing electrical corrosion tests at different shaft voltage frequencies.The results showed that the current density of ceramic ball bearings increased with the increase of frequency,while the steel ball bearings increased first and then decreased.Under the same voltage and frequency conditions,the average current density of ceramic ball bearings was significantly lower than steel ball bearings.Therefore,ceramic ball bearings have lower temperature rise,lubricant leakage,friction coefficient,vibration and noise.After testing for 5 hours,microscopic analysis showed the degree of bearing parts damage was:outer race＞inner race＞ball.The abrasive wear and a few electric erosion pits were observed on outer race of ceramic ball bearing,while a large number of electric erosion was found on the outer race of the steel ball bearing.Moreover,when the shaft voltage frequency was 50 and 1 000 Hz,corrugated damage was observed on the outer race of steel ball bearing.This result indicated the electrical damage of the bearing was related to the current density.The transient high temperatures generated by electrical discharge can cause the decomposition of martensite in the bearing steel,leading to a reduction in internal stress and hardness,with a more pronounced decrease observed in steel ball bearings.Ceramic ball bearings achieve electrical corrosion protection by reducing current density.However,they cannot completely eliminate electrical erosion under high-frequency shaft voltages.Further research is still required to explore new solutions for reducing shaft current density.