Ball and roller bearings are designed for
longevity. Their life expectancy, based on metal fatigue, can usually be
calculated if general operating conditions are known. Bearing failures not
caused by normal material fatigue are called premature failures. The causes may
range from improper lubrication to incorrect mounting, to poor condition of
shaft housing or bearing surfaces. Premature bearing failure can be avoided.
That’s the objective of this to identify the visible “danger” signs on bearing,
shaft and housing
surfaces. These signs of bearing damage
include:
• Brinelling
• Contamination
• Fretting
• Peeling
• Spalling
• Misalignment
• Electric Arcing
• Seizing
Brinelling
Brinelling refers to indentations pressed
into the bearing race, so tiny that they are hardly visible to the eye .These
indentations, although minor, usually precede more serious, deeper cuts and
dents that ultimately result in bearing failure. Brinelling found on the race
causes corresponding dents on the balls or rollers. Though less visible than
those on the race, the brinelling on balls or rollers is more noticeable in its
interference with bearing movement.
Causes
Brinelling on the high part of the race
shoulder is often caused by pressure against the unmounted – rather than the
press-fit – race during installation. Hammering the bearing during installation
or removal may cause brinelling on the shoulder of the race.
Brinelling also is caused by bearing
impact during operation. In a wheel, for example, a bearing set with excessive
end play may not resist the impact and pounding action as the wheel goes over
uneven or rough roads. The rapid short impact pounds the rollers into the
races, causing brinelling and even fracturing.
Prevention
Brinelling caused by incorrect mounting
can be prevented by exerting pressure only on the press-fit race. Eliminating
any direct hits with a hammer on the bearing is another measure worth taking.
Brinelling caused by heavy impact during operation is usually avoided by
setting the bearing to the recommended amount of end play.
Contamination
Contamination of the bearing shows up as
scratches, pitting and scoring along the raceways, with corresponding marks on
the ball and roller surfaces. Unlike brinelling, these small indentations are
scattered, rather than centralized, on the bearing surface.
Causes
When seals or shields are defective it is
not hard for abrasive particles, dirt, or dust to get into the bearing. There
can even be dirt or dust in the lubricant. Wherever foreign material enters
into the bearing by way of contaminated lubricant, the particles are pressed
into the metal surface. Small dents and pits are formed which roughen the
load-carrying surface. Severe roughness will result in flaking and premature
bearing failure.
Contamination can also be caused by
improper cleaning of the housing or shaft, or by using dirty tools and hands
during mounting and assembly.
Prevention
Everything coming into contact with the
bearing, shaft or housing should be clean, including your hands, tools and work
area. Lubricant should be stored only in clean containers and covered with a
tight lid during storage. Before mounting a new bearing, be sure the shaft and
housing are free of dirt, dust and moisture. When changing the wheel or
installing a new bearing, use only new, not used, seals.
Fretting
When small metal particles decay and
break off of the bearing races, it is called fretting. Fretting occurs when
there is excessive rubbing between the inner race and the shaft, or the outer
race and the housing, or any surface overstressed under excessive oscillated
loads. This excess friction causes the contact area to wear down or corrode. Some
fretting corrosion is a normal part of the bearing fatigue process. The
condition worsens until the contact surfaces become so weakened that soon, the
bearing fails.
Causes
Fretting frequently is caused by poor
shaft or housing fits. Races with too loose a fit, for example, may rub against
the shaft or housing when they should be stationary. Lubricant levels kept too
low also permit excess friction and corrosion.
Prevention
Be sure shaft and housing fits are
correct for the application, so the bearing cannot move out of place.
Micronized graphite and other special lubricants are sometimes used to relieve
the rubbing pressure.
Peeling
Peeling is a light scraping away of the
bearing’s surface The damage is usually
just superficial, normally less than .001˝ deep. It should not affect bearing
performance unless conditions exist that promote greater damage.
Causes
Peeling damage most often is related to
improper lubrication. There may not, for example, be enough lubrication in the
bearing (along the inner diameter of the cup) which can result in peeling on
the unprotected surface. Use of a high viscosity lubricant – one that is unable
to flow freely also promotes peeling. Misalignment,
which may cause peeling at the edge of heavy contact.
Prevention
Check lubrication levels in the bearing
to be sure an ample amount is present at all times. When lubricating a wheel
hub, for example, force grease into and around the races, cage and rollers.
Also check the shaft, housing and bearing during mounting for misalignment.
Spalling
Spalling is an advanced stage of bearing
decay. Caused by metal fatigue, the failure begins as microscopic cracks
beneath the bearing surface. These tiny fractures work their way to the
surface, and eventually result in the flaking away of metal particles. The
uneven surfaces caused by metal flaking away prevent normal bearing operation.
Failure is inevitable. Because of the rough race surface and loose metal chips,
there also will be bearing vibration and
noise.
Causes
Spalling occurs under normal conditions
as part of bearing fatigue. However, it can result from another type of initial
bearing damage, such as brinelling or fretting, that has caused indentations,
weakening or abrasion, on one or both of the races. Almost any type of
handling, installation, mounting or maintenance procedure done incorrectly can
result in spalling. For example, a bearing mounted on a shaft with excess
press-fit causes friction to build up and wear down the bearing surfaces. Dirt,
dust and contamination will abrade and score the races. Moisture in the housing
can settle on and then corrode the
bearing surface, resulting in flaking. Improper lubrication can fail to relieve
friction, leading first to peeling, and then possibly to spalling. Misalignment
prevents even load distribution, and spalling may occur in the high stress
areas. High spots or grooves in the housing also may cause corresponding
grooves in the bearing that lead to spalling. Whether it is normal or
premature, bearing failure from spalling is irreversible.
Prevention
Use proper procedures for handling,
assembling and inspecting bearings. Replace defective seals and shields, so
contaminants cannot get into the bearing. Use only clean lubricants and tools
and be sure lubrication levels are adequate. Check for scratches, nicks and
grooves on the shaft and in the housing. Double check bearing alignment and press-fit.
Misalignment
If the balls or rollers of a bearing are
running from one side of the race to the other side – and not along a straight
path – then one race is misaligned with respect to the other. That is, the two
races are not square with each other. Because of the misalignment, there will
be uneven load distribution on the races and rollers, causing friction and heat
to build up at the points where there is excess pressure and weight. Misalignment
can be identified by a diagonal polishing on the inside of the stationary ring,
while the rotating ring develops flaking across the entire raceway. The excess
friction that builds up will eventually discolor the roller path and rollers,
and destroy the lubricant.
Causes
The shaft may be misaligned in relation
to the housing, causing an overload on the balls or rollers and eventual
bearing failure. Misalignment also may be caused by the housing being cocked
and not square with the shaft. The housing shoulder may become disoriented,
forcing the bearing’s outer race to cock in relation to the inner race. The
bearing may have been installed with too much clearance or press-fit, causing
the two races to be out of line with each other.
Prevention
Misalignment of the shaft and housing
should be checked and corrected before bearing installation. Be sure the
shoulders are in line and square. When press-fitting a bearing, follow the
steps outlined in Chapter Seven.
Electric Arcing
Electric currents can damage a bearing.
When even a small amount of voltage passes through a bearing, it will burn a
pit into the race at the point of contact.
Causes
Electric current passing through a
bearing, such as during welding on a vehicle without proper grounding, causes
arcing and burning at the point of contact between the races and rollers. This
can range from a single burn spot, or, as often happens with roller bearings, a
series of small burns between the roller and race along the line of contact.
These burns cause grooves along the affected surface. As the current continues
to pass through the bearing, the contact points change as the bearing turns.
Prevention
Properly ground the vehicle so that it
will route electrical current around the bearings. Inspect the bearing to be
sure that any stray currents have not passed through the races.
Seizing
Seizing is a common form of failure when
bearings are first put into service. When the rolling elements fail to roll,
the resulting friction generates excessive heat very rapidly. Seizing
frequently occurs between the cone back face and the large end of the roller on
tapered roller bearings. The cages are usually either damaged or destroyed when
this occurs.
Causes
Improper or inadequate lubrication can
result in a breakdown of the oil film between the rolling elements and
raceways. The resulting metal to metal contact generates excessive heat which
reduces the hardness of the metal. Localized welding of the rollers or balls to
the raceways will rapidly seize the bearing.
Prevention
Carefully select the proper amount and
type of lubricant that will maintain a film between the rolling elements and
raceways. Remember to prelubricate whenever necessary before installation.
Conclusion
Preventing bearing failure depends on how
well you know the bearing, and the application for which it will be used. This
study guide should provide you with the basics for bearing care. Remember, it
takes only a small mistake in handling, lubrication, installation or
maintenance to result in large scale damage – not only to the bearing, but to
the overall area in which it operates. Whenever there is a bearing, there is a
seal – either working in tandem or close by. To help you become as familiar
with seals as you now should be with bearings, there is a companion self-study
program. The SKF Shaft Seals Self-Study Program covers selection, installation
and maintenance of grease and oil seals, along with the Speedi-Sleeve line of
wear sleeves.