The rolling contact (RC) fatigue test rig was developed specifically for rapid and inexpensive evaluation of materials and processes for rolling element bearing applications. The simple geometry of the test specimen, a cylindrical bar, makes it ideal for evaluating new materials where only limited quantities of the material may initially be available and also permits precise control of the mechanical and thermal processing of the test specimen.

This book deals with wear and performance testing of thin solid film lubrication and hard coatings in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV), a process which enables rapid accumulation of stress cycles compared with testing in oil at atmospheric pressure. The authors’ lucid and authoritative narrative broadens readers' understanding of the benefits of UHV testing: a cleaner, shorter test is achieved in high vacuum, disturbance rejection by the deposition controller may be optimized for maximum fatigue life of the coating using rolling contact fatigue testing (RCF) in a high vacuum, and RCF testing in UHV conditions enables a faster study of deposition control parameters. In short, Rolling Contact Fatigue in a Vacuum is an indispensable resource for researchers and engineers concerned with thin film deposition, solar flat panel manufacturing, physical vapor deposition, MEMS manufacturing (for lubrication of MEMS), tribology in a range of industries, and automotive and marine wear coatings for engines and transmissions.

In order to gain detailed insight into the processes taking place during rolling contact fatigue (RCF) and rolling contact wear, the test machine used must be closely controllable and offer comprehensive data collection facilities. This paper describes a machine that has been developed to offer these facilities over a wide range of test conditions, and that has the facility for the early detection of cracks by an eddy current method.