What kind of failures will improper operation cause to the bearing?

Improper operation can cause a variety of bearing failures, which may seriously affect the normal operation and service life of the equipment. The following are some common bearing failures caused by improper operation and their causes:

1. Cracks and peeling

Cracks: Due to excessive impact load of the main machine, large interference fit between the main shaft and the bearing, poor installation accuracy or improper use (such as using a copper hammer, inserting large foreign objects), cracks may appear in the gap of the bearing.

Peeling: The rolling elements and the inner and outer ring raceways of the bearing are subjected to periodic pulsating loads. When the number of stress cycles reaches a certain value, fatigue peeling will occur. Improper installation, shaft bending, excessive load, etc. will aggravate this fatigue peeling.

2. Burns

Causes: Insufficient lubrication, unqualified or deteriorated lubricating oil quality, overtight bearing assembly, too small clearance, excessive load (large preload), roller deflection, etc., may cause the bearing to heat up rapidly during operation until it changes color, softens, melts and is damaged.

3. Indentation

Reason: Foreign matter such as metal powder biting into the bearing, excessive impact load during assembly or transportation, etc., will cause indentations on the raceway surface or rotating surface, forming Brinell hardness indentations.

4. Wear

Reason: Foreign matter intrusion, rust electrolytic corrosion, poor lubrication, irregular movement of rolling elements, etc., will cause wear on the raceway surface or rolling surface, roller end face, shaft ring surface and concave surface of the retainer.

5. Current corrosion (electrolytic corrosion)

Reason: When the current flows in the contact part between the rotating bearing ring and the rolling element, sparks are generated through the thin lubricating oil film, causing local melting and unevenness on its surface.

6. Vibration and noise

Reason: Bearing damage, excessive bearing clearance, bearing race deformation, etc., will cause abnormal vibration and noise when the bearing is running, affecting the accuracy and normal operation of the equipment.

7. Oil leakage and jamming

Oil leakage: Oil leakage in the bearing seal will cause lubricating oil leakage, affecting the normal operation and service life of the equipment.

Jamming: Insufficient lubrication, bearing damage, excessive bearing clearance, etc., can cause the bearing to fail to roll normally or move inflexibly during operation.

8. Cage fracture

Reasons: Excessive torque load, insufficient lubrication, frequent speed changes, large vibrations, bearing installation in an inclined state, foreign matter stuck, etc., can all cause cage fragmentation, rivet loosening or breaking, and rolling element crushing.