Cone bore growth in case-carburized bearings was modeled by incorporat
ing the mechanisms of thermal-induced phase transformation and low tem
perature creep in an approximate model of the cone. The inner case, co
re, and outer case regions of the bearing cone are modeled bu three co
ncentric rings. Using a mechanics of materials approach with the aid o
f some simplifying assumptions ( i.e., radial stresses remain zero thr
oughout the ring thickness and net circumferential strain is the same
for all three rings), the influence of temperature, interference fit s
tresses, initial case carburizing stresses, and stress relaxation on t
he change in bore diameter and circumferential stress during service c
ould be determined. The model indicated that both thermal-induced tran
sformation and low temperature creep may play a role in bore growth du
ring service. As temperature was increased from 70 degrees C to 200 de
grees C, the susceptibility to bore growth became greater. Also, an in
crease in the interference fit increased the initial cone bore growth
rate. In addition, the effect of the recondition treatment on the bore
diameter and residual stresses was studied. The bore diameter general
ly decreased during the recondition treatment, and this was attributed
to the relaxation of residual stresses by low temperature creep.