Bearing Performance Limits With Grease Lubrication Available to Purchase

This paper has examined the influence of bearing design and operation in controlling lubricant supply to the contact zone. Grease lubricated contacts are liable to starvation and as a result the film thickness is reduced, this can result in surface damage or premature bearing failure. It is of obvious importance to know when starvation occurs and the effect of grease type, bearing design and operation on lubrication replenishment. The aim therefore is to develop a starvation parameter capable of predicting the operating limits for a particular bearing/grease system. A number of bearing design parameters are examined in the paper, these include cage design, ball spin and bearing size. Ball spin and cage effects can be efficient mechanisms for maintaining the lubricant supply to the track. Increased bearing size, line contact geometries and high load result in reduced lubricant replenishment of the contact. Using this analysis it will be possible to establish operating limits for families of bearings.