Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Mechanical Properties for Large Bearing Housing Castings

Abstract

In modern industrial manufacturing, the mechanical properties of large bearing housing castings are critical to equipment reliability and lifespan. Traditional prediction methods relying on experimental testing and empirical formulas face challenges such as high costs, limited samples, and inadequate generalization capabilities. This study presents a machine learning approach for predicting mechanical properties of ZG270-500 cast steel, integrating multivariate data (chemical composition, process parameters) to establish an efficient predictive model. Utilizing real-world production data from a certain foundry and forging plant, the research implemented preprocessing steps including outlier handling, data balancing, and normalization. A systematic comparison was conducted on the performance of four algorithms: Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The results indicate that under small-sample conditions, the SVR model outperforms other models, achieving a coefficient of determination (R²) between 0.85 and 0.95 on the test set for mechanical properties. The root mean square errors (RMSE) for yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, reduction in area, and impact energy are 7.59 MPa, 7.52 MPa, 0.68%, 1.47%, and 5.51 J, respectively. Experimental validation confirmed relative errors between predicted and measured values below 4%. SHAP value analysis elucidated the influence mechanisms of key process parameters (e.g., pouring speed, normalization holding time) and elemental composition on mechanical properties. This research establishes an efficient data-driven approach for large casting performance prediction and provides a theoretical foundation for guiding process optimization, thereby addressing the research gap in performance prediction for large bearing housing castings.