Stages of wear in rolling bearings
A bearing is a part, usually made of metal, consisting of two rings (outer and inner), rolling elements and a cage that holds them in the correct position. They are used to guide and support rotating components. They are a fundamental part of any machine.
Bearings, like any other part, suffer wear throughout their service life. They are one of the most stressed parts, therefore, it must be taken into account how this affects their physical condition.
Read this article to learn about the importance of these components, the stages of wear they go through and how to prevent this wear.
Why are bearings a key part of your machinery?
Bearings play a key role in the operation of most machines. They help transmit motion between parts, facilitating a multitude of tasks and increasing the efficiency of power transmission.
Depending on the type of bearing, whether cylindrical, tapered, spherical, ball or needle roller bearings, they will generate more or less friction and transmit motion in one direction or another.
Stages of bearing wear
The bearings reduce friction between parts by optimizing the transmission of motion. This generates wear that is prolonged over time. Four distinct phases can be identified from the point of view of wear:
Phase 1
At this stage, the component is considered to be operating normally. But it is here that the first signs of wear appear in the bearing.
In this phase, small scratches begin to appear on the surfaces, being these very slight. They do not affect the normal operation of the bearing, with hardly any effect on the spectrum or rotational frequency.
Phase 2
At this time the first high frequency vibrations begin to appear. This indicates that abrasive wear of the bearing is beginning to develop.
Phase 3
As bearing damage progresses, both the amplitude of the failure frequencies and the high-frequency acceleration vibration increase. Monitoring their evolution allows us to plan their replacement as soon as we need.
Phase 4
This is the last stage of bearing wear. When the bearing is badly damaged, symptoms similar to looseness and friction appear. Background noise may also appear, detectable at high frequency accelerations.
How to detect bearing deterioration
The best way to detect bearing failures is to know the source of the problem and detect it preventively. This involves the preparation of a maintenance program that takes into account condition analysis and predictive maintenance.
This will not only provide us with indications of bearing wear, but also an assessment of the severity of the failures and recommendations for corrective action.
How to prevent bearing wear
There are a number of fundamental practices to prevent bearing wear. All of them add preventive value to the maintenance of these parts, giving them a longer service life and avoiding serious accidents.
The practices are as follows:
Ensure good lubrication
As specialists in lubrication systems, at Nortek we know that it is a fundamental aspect to keep a bearing in good condition.
Proper lubrication generates a thin film between bearing contact surfaces, minimizing direct metal-to-metal contact. This reduces frictional wear and prolongs their service life.
Reducing pollution
Contaminants such as dust, dirt, water and metal particles can cause abrasion on the internal surfaces of the bearing. This leads to accelerated fatigue wear and significantly reduces bearing service life.
These contaminants can also alter the composition of the lubricant, reducing its effectiveness. A contaminated lubricant cannot form a proper film between mating surfaces, which increases friction and wear.
Avoid shocks and vibrations
Shocks, blows and vibrations can generate various deformations in the bearing structure. These deformations can generate concentrated stress points, accelerating wear and increasing the risk of premature failure.
They can also have other negative effects, such as generation of small cracks, misalignment of components, loss of lubrication or increased noise.
Recondition the bearing if possible
Inspecting and repairing the bearing is also a fundamental practice in preventing wear and avoiding bearing failure. Practical actions such as surface restoration, replacement of damaged components or cleaning of contaminants can be carried out for reconditioning.
By keeping these practices in mind and monitoring the condition of your bearings, you will achieve a better physical condition of those and save on maintenance and parts replacement costs in the long run.