Insufficient Lubrication Causes TIMKEN Bearing Damage Level

Writer: Eric Bearing Limited

Lubrication plays an important role in the use of TIMKEN bearings. In many cases, the damage of TIMKEN bearings is caused by poor lubrication. According to statistics, about 40% of TIMKEN bearing damages are related to poor lubrication. In order to get a good lubrication method for the bearing, Eric Bearing Limited analyzed the situation and concluded that there are 11 lubrication methods for TIMKEN bearings.

11 ways of bearing lubrication

1. Manual lubrication

This is the most primitive method. In the case of insufficient lubricating oil for TIMKEN bearings, use an oiler to supply oil. However, this method is difficult to maintain a certain amount of oil. It is more dangerous to forget to refuel due to negligence. It is usually only used in light-load, low-speed or intermittent sports. When it is best to operate, install a dust cap or ball valve on the refueling hole. And use felt, cotton, wool, etc. as filtering device.

2. Drop point lubrication

Usually used for light-duty and medium-duty TIMKEN bearings with a peripheral speed of less than 4~5m/s. A roughly fixed amount of lubricating oil is supplied from the container through holes, needles, valves, etc., the most classic is the oil drip cup. There are significant changes in lubricating oil viscosity, bearing clearance and oil supply hole positions.

3. Oil ring lubrication

The lubricating oil from the oil sump is brought to the TIMKEN bearing by the ring that is hung on the shaft and can rotate (only for the lubrication method of the horizontal shaft). It is suitable for medium-speed and high-speed bearings with a shaft diameter greater than 50mm. The oil ring is the best It is seamless. When the bearing width to diameter ratio is less than 2, only one oil ring can be used, otherwise two oil rings are required.

4. Oil rope lubrication

Relying on the capillary and siphon action of the wick to guide the lubricating oil in the oil cup to the bearing, it is mainly used for light-load and medium-load bearings with a peripheral speed of less than 4～5m/s. In addition, the wick can filter the whole process. The role of.

5. Oil pad lubrication

Using the capillary action of the oil cushion, the lubricating oil in the oil pool is applied to the surface of the shaft diameter. This method can keep the friction surface clean, but the dust will also block the pores and cause insufficient oil supply. The oil supply of oil pad lubrication is usually only 1/20 of oil lubrication. TIMKEN HH224340 bearings online , pls click here : 

6. Oil bath lubrication

This kind of lubrication method is to immerse part of the bearing in lubricating oil, which is often used for TIMKEN thrust bearings of vertical shafts, but not for radial bearings of horizontal shafts.

7. Splash lubrication

Relying on the lubricating oil splashed by the rotating parts in the oil tank to supply the bearing, it is suitable for the bearing of higher speed.

8. Oil mist lubrication

Dry compressed air is mixed with lubricating oil through a sprayer to form oil mist, which is injected into the imported motor bearing. The airflow can effectively cool the bearing and prevent the intrusion of impurities. This method is suitable for the lubrication of high-speed and high-temperature TIMKEN bearing components.

9. Pressure lubrication

Relying on the pressure of the lubrication pump to supply oil to the TIMKEN bearing, and to recover the lubricating oil from the bearing to the oil pool for recycling, it is the most stable lubrication method with the most oil supply. It is suitable for high-speed, heavy-duty, and important sliding bearings.

10. Circulating oil lubrication

The oil pump is used to transport the filtered oil to the bearing parts, and the lubricating oil after passing through the TIMKEN bearing is filtered and cooled before use. Because circulating oil can take away a certain amount of heat and cool the bearing, this method is suitable for bearing parts with higher speeds.

11. High pressure jet lubrication

Use an oil pump to inject high-pressure oil into the TIMKEN bearing through a nozzle, and the oil injected into the stainless steel bearing flows into the oil groove through the other end of the bearing. When the bearing rotates at a high speed, the rolling elements and the cage also make the surrounding air form an air flow at a relatively high rotation speed. It is difficult to send the lubricating oil to the bearing by the general lubrication method. At this time, the lubricating oil must be sprayed by the high-pressure injection method. In the bearing, the position of the nozzle must be between the inner ring and the center of the cage.

Bearing damage caused by poor lubrication is also a common situation. Here we mainly analyze the different levels of bearing damage caused by poor lubrication, so that everyone can adopt reasonable solutions according to the situation.