[19.7] and others, however, that water levels as low as 50-100 parts per million(ppm) may also have a detrimental effect, even with no evidence of corrosion. This is due to hydrogen embrittlement of the rolling element and raceway material. See also Chapter 23. Moisture control in test lubrication systems is thus a major concern, and the effect of moisture needs to be considered during the evaluation of life test results. A maximum of 40 ppm is considered necessary to minimize life reduction effects.
The chemical composition of the test lubricant also requires consideration. Most commercial lubricants contain a number of proprietary additives developed for specific purposes; for example, to provide antiwear properties, to achieve extreme pressure and/or thermal stability, and to provide boundary lubrication in case of marginal lubricant films. These additives can also affect the endurance of rolling bearings, either immediately or after experiencing time-related degradation. Care must be taken to ensure that the additives included in the test lubricant will not suffer excessive deterioration as a result of accelerated life test conditions. Also for consistency of results and comparing life test groups, it is good practice to utilize one standard test lubricant from a particular producer for the conduct of all general life tests.
The statistical nature of rolling contact fatigue requires many test samples to obtain a reasonable estimate of life. A bearing life test sequence thus needs a long time. A major job of the experimentalist is to ensure the consistency of the applied test conditions throughout the entire test period. This process is not simple because subtle changes can occur during the test period. Such changes might be overlooked until