Evaluation of residual stress profiles using the Barkhausen noise effect to verify high performance aerospace bearings

In this paper, we present a non-destructive method for estimating residual stress profiles, based on the Barkhausen noise effect. Validated on several batches of bearings, this method has been shown to be rapid, well suited to industrial imperatives connected to on-line measurement and easily adapted to the circular geometries of the bearing rings. Given the industrial imperative to characterize parts, our method concentrates on stress profiles in the first 60 mu m under the surface, in steps of 5 or 10 mu m. We show the efficiency of the Barkhausen noise effect for estimating these residual stress profiles in bearing raceways. Our method will make it possible to inspect the homogeneity of surface and subsurface stresses on the bearing rings at any stage of the manufacturing process, regardless of the treatments that have been effected.