Common Causes of Premature Bearing Failure

Not every bearing will live up to its expected life span. You will find some common causes of premature bearing failure in the following:

1.Poor lubrication.

A common cause of premature failure is incorrect lubrication. Proper lubrication will reduce friction between parts. This reduces energy consumption, heat generation, wear and tear and noise levels. In addition, the lubricant provides protection against corrosion and dirt. Proper lubrication is therefore of utmost importance. Things to look out for are:

Wrong type of lubrication: There are many types of lubricants, The most common is greases and oils.However, in different use environment, They can differ in terms of consistency, viscosity of the (base) oil, water resistance, shelf life, etc. Different applications may require special properties , So be sure to match the choice of lubricant to its application.

Not enough lubrication: Too little lubricant may result in steel-steel contact between rolling body and raceway. This will increase heat generation and will accelerate wear.

Too much lubrication: Using too much lubricant may also result in an increase of temperature due to the increased friction of the lubricant itself. The seals can also be damaged. this may lead to premature bearing failure.

2. Incorrect assembly method

Bearings that are not installed correctly, may be damaged in the process. Use the proper method, whether it be mechanical, hydraulic, or even using heat to install a bearing, and always use the appropriate tools. Removing a worn bearing should be done with care so that the replacement bearing can be installed without any problems.

The alignment of the shafts on which the bearings are mounted is also important. In fact, misalignment may accelerate bearing failure.

3. Wrong choice of bearing

No matter how skilfully a bearing is installed, there will be premature failure if the bearing type is not suitable for the application. The type of load plays an important role (radial, axial, or combined) and capacity and dimensions must also be correct.

4. Overloading and underloading

Overloading: Metal fatigue may occur prematurely if a bearing is continuously being overloaded. Metal fatigue is the result of continuously varying loads on the bearing's raceway surface. The strength of the material decreases until small cracks appear, and parts fall apart. As a bearing approaches the end of its expected service life, fatigue often occurs regardless of the experienced load. Try to avoid overloading and prevent fatigue from happening too soon.

Underloading: A bearing needs a minimum load for proper performance, especially when high speeds and large gears are involved. If the load is too low, the balls or rollers will not roll, but drag across the raceway. These sliding movements add friction that causes damage to the material.

By keeping these tips in mind, your bearings will last longer. And when they finally do need replacing, CWL BEARING is here to support you!

Contact information :

Web :www.cwlbearing.com and e-mail : sales@cwlbearing.com