Abstract: A method of assessing the shear fatigue property of a metallic material that undergoes a rolling contact includes a testing step for determining the relation between the shear stress amplitude of a rolling contact metallic material and the number of loading by means of an ultrasonic torsional fatigue test, and a shear fatigue strength determining step for determining the shear fatigue strength ?lim within the ultra long life regime from the relation between the shear stress amplitude and the number of loadings, which relation has been determined during the test step, in accordance with a predetermined standard. It is a completely reversed torsional fatigue test, in which torsional vibrations, respective torsions in the positive rotational direction and reversed rotational direction of which are symmetrical relative to each other, are applied to a test piece.

Abstract: A bearing component (an outer ring, an inner ring, and a ball) is made of bearing steel, and has a surface layer portion that is nitrided and includes an outer ring raceway surface and an inner ring raceway surface or a rolling surface. A nitrogen concentration in the surface layer portion is 0.4 mass % or higher. An area ratio of a precipitate in an inner portion that is not nitrided is 11% or higher.

Abstract: Included are a testing step (S1) for determining the relation between the shear stress amplitude of a rolling contact metallic material and the number of loading by means of an ultrasonic torsional fatigue test, and a shear fatigue strength determining step (S2) for determining the shear fatigue strength ?lim, within the ultra long life regime from the relation between the shear stress amplitude and the number of loadings, which relation has been determined during the test step (S1), in accordance with a predetermined standard. It is a completely reversed torsional fatigue test, in which torsional vibrations, respective torsions in the positive rotational direction and reversed rotational direction of which are symmetrical relative to each other, are applied to a test piece (1).