Based on linear elastic mechanics and continuous damage mechanics

the damage evolution equation of ball bearing contact fatigue was constructed.The material parameters in the damage evolution equation were obtained by fitting the GCr15 bearing steel torsional fatigue test data. The torsional fatigue life of GCr15 bearing steel was estimated by this equation

and the results were in agreement with the test data. The contact stress distribution of 6206 ball bearing was simulated by ABAQUS finite element analysis software and the maximum contact stress area of 6206 ball bearing was analyzed. The maximum stress contact area was simplified to a two-dimensional plane stress model according to the load and stress-strain state of the 6206 ball bearing. Based on this

the contact fatigue life of 6206 ball bearings was estimated. The 6206 ball bearing fatigue acceleration test was designed and carried out. Bearing contact fatigue spalling was initiated in the inner ring

which was consistent with the results of stress simulation analysis. The relative errors of test and predicted contact fatigue life of the three test bearings were 29.52%

3.03% and 51.16% respectively

verifying the validity of the contact fatigue life prediction method. This research shows that using the damage mechanics to predict the contact fatigue life of ball bearings is a feasible and practical method in engineering.