Abstract: A method of treating bearing rolling elements or bearing rings after a hardening and temper heat treatment is disclosed. The method may include treating the bearing rolling elements in a tumbling treatment and then in a duplex hardening treatment. The method may include treating the bearing rings in a peening treatment and then in a duplex hardening treatment. The duplex hardening treatment may also include at least one sequential process segment consisting of subjecting the bearing rolling element & rings to a nitriding process to increase the surface hardness and compressive residual stress. The combined two-step process produces a deep surface/sub-surface residual stress greater than the depth of the maximum operating von-Mises shear stress along with an ultra-hard surface with high magnitude of compressive residual stress. In so doing, the bearing ring and rolling elements will have significantly enhanced rolling contact fatigue resistance and resistance to surface imperfections and debris.

Abstract: A rolling element bearing includes a plurality of bearing components, which include one or more rolling elements, an inner ring and an outer ring. A first of the bearing components includes martensitic stainless steel configured with a core and a hardened case. The martensitic stainless steel of the core includes approximately 8% by weight or more chromium. The martensitic stainless steel of the hardened case has a grain size that is substantially equal to or finer than ASTM grain size #7. The martensitic stainless steel of the hardened case includes approximately 6% by weight or more chromium, and carbon. Molecules that include the carbon are substantially uniformly dispersed within the hardened case.

Abstract: A method of treating bearing rolling elements or bearing rings after a hardening and temper heat treatment is disclosed. The method may include treating the bearing rolling elements in a tumbling treatment and then in a duplex hardening treatment. The method may include treating the bearing rings in a peening treatment and then in a duplex hardening treatment. The duplex hardening treatment may also include at least one sequential process segment consisting of subjecting the bearing rolling element & rings to a nitriding process to increase the surface hardness and compressive residual stress. The combined two-step process produces a deep surface/sub-surface residual stress greater than the depth of the maximum operating von-Mises shear stress along with an ultra-hard surface with high magnitude of compressive residual stress. In so doing, the bearing ring and rolling elements will have significantly enhanced rolling contact fatigue resistance and resistance to surface imperfections and debris.

Abstract: A corrosion and wear resistant sintered powdered metal alloy having a density of at least 99.9 percent of theoretical density is provided. The alloy comprises, in weight percent, from about 13 to about 17 percent chromium, from about 5.5 to about 8.5 percent molybdenum, from about 1.25 to about 2.5 percent vanadium, and from about 1.2 to about 1.65 percent carbon, with the balance being iron plus trace elements. The foregoing alloy is used to produce corrosion and wear resistant bearings which are characterized by high hot hardness and toughness.