Why does the bearing damage prematurely, and how to improve the bearing life?

Bearing is an important component in contemporary machinery and equipment. Its main function is to support the mechanical rotating body, reduce the friction coefficient during its movement, and ensure its turning accuracy. With everyone's growing demand for bearings, premature damage to bearings, not long life, etc., trouble every mechanical enthusiast. Today I will share with you the methods and techniques to extend the service life of bearings.

Under a certain load, the number of revolutions or hours that a bearing experiences before pitting occurs is called bearing life. Bearings within this life should undergo initial fatigue damage on any of their bearing rings or rolling elements. However, in our daily practical use, it can be clearly observed that the bearings with the same appearance under the same working conditions, the actual life is very different. What causes this?

First, improper installation

1. Excessive force during installation. Hitting the bearing with a hammer will cause the most damage to the bearing; it is also the main cause of deformation.

2. The installation is deviated or not installed in the bearing position, causing the bearing clearance to be too small. The inner and outer rings are not at the same center of rotation, causing misalignment.

Suggestion: Choose appropriate or professional bearing installation tools, and use special equipment to test after installation.

Second, pollution

Contamination can also cause premature bearing damage. Pollution means that sand, metal chips, etc. enter the bearing. The main reasons include: opening the bearing package prematurely before use, causing pollution; the working environment is not clean during installation, causing pollution; the working environment of the bearing is not clean, and the working medium is polluted.

Suggestions: It is better not to unpack the bearings before use; keep the installation environment clean during installation, clean the bearings to be used, and strengthen the sealing device of the bearings.

Third, poor lubrication

According to investigations, poor lubrication is one of the main causes of premature bearing damage. Including the lubricant or lubricating oil was not filled in time; the lubricant or lubricating oil was not filled in place; the lubricant or lubricating oil was selected incorrectly; the lubrication method was incorrect.

Recommendation: Select the correct lubricant or lubricating oil, and use the correct lubrication and filling method.

Fourth, fatigue

Fatigue failure is a common way of bearing damage. Common causes of fatigue damage may be: long-term overload operation of bearings; failure to repair in a timely manner; improper maintenance; aging equipment.

Recommendation: Choose the appropriate bearing type and replace fatigue bearings in a timely manner.