BEARING SELECTION

Before using bearings the important thing is the proper selection of

bearing for any moving vehicle or machine.

The selection of ball and roller bearings for a given installation

depends upon the following factors.

i. The load-carrying capacity and the nature of the load.

ii. The speed of shaft in r.p.m.,

iii. The type of service under given conditions such as

temperature, humidity, dustiness, acidity, etc.

iv. The anticipated life of the bearing.

v. Magnitude and direction of loads.

vi. The proportion of thrust to radial load.

After considering the above factors, generally ball bearings are

suitable for small machines running at high speeds while roller
Bearings are suitable for machines to be placed under heavy loads.

i. Deep groove or Angular Contact Ball Bearings are suitable

where comparatively heavy thrust loads are to be carried at
high speeds.

ii. Self Aligning Ball Bearings and Spherical Roller Bearings are
suitable for such parts as are apt to be subjected to permanent
bending or warping and fluctuating misalignment occurs
between shaft and bearing housing.

iii. Cylindrical roller Bearings are suitable for those shafts which
have been allowed to move freely longitudinally within certain
limits, and for far larger and heavily loaded applications.

iv. Taper Roller Bearings are suitable where radial and thrust loads
or any combination of both are required to be handled and in
dealing with heavy composite loads as in case of automobile
parts.

v. Thrust Ball Bearings are suitable for arrangements put under

light axial loads.
vi. Ball Bearings with pressed cages which are light in weight and
have high elasticity are suitable at normal speed.

vii. In very high speed spindles and machines only, bearings with
precision tolerances are used.

viii. Ball Bearings with mechanical brass cages are more suitable
at high speeds.

The capacity of the bearing decreases as the speed increases. If a ball

bearing operates continuously, its life expectancy measured in hours
will obviously be shorter than if operated intermittently. Some types
of bearings can carry only radial loads or thrust loads while some
types of bearings can carry both radial as well as thrust loads. So if a
bearing which can carry only thrust loads is put under radial loads, it
will either break or damage the machine into which it is fitted. So a
proper selection is necessary One major cause for bearing failure lies
the improper selection of bearings.

In short the proper selection of bearings is most essential and will

ensure the longer life of the bearings as well as the life of the
machine to which it is used.

If the bearing loads with its directions of the ratios of radial and thrust
capacity and speed is accurately determined, its life span can also be
established. The necessary bearing size can also be determined.
However the selection is so complex that general rules can hardly be
drawn up.

Factors to be considered in selection of ball bearing roller bearings.

1. The load-carrying capacity and the nature of the load.

2. The speed of shaft in r.p.m.

3. The type of service under given conditions such as temperature, humidity,

dustiness, acidity, etc.

4. The anticipated life of the bearing.

5. Magnitude and direction of loads.

6. The proportion of thrust to radial load.

Handling of ball bearings and roller bearings.

Right Wrong

1. Remove all outside dirt from housing 1. Don't work in dirty surrounding.
before exposing bearing.

2. Treat a used bearing as carefully as you 2. Dont use dirty, brittle or chipped tools
would a new one.

3. Work with clean tools in clean 3. Don't use wooden mallets or work on
surroundings. wooden bench top.

4. Handle with clean, dry hands, or better, 4. Don't handle with dirty, moist hands.
clean canvas gloves.

5. Use clean solvents and flushing oils. 5. Don't use gasolines containing tetrethly
lead, as they may be injurious to health.

6. Lay bearing out on clean newspaper. 6. Don't spin uncleaned bearing.

7. Protect disassembled bearing form rust 7. Don't spin bearings with compressed
and dirt. air.

8. Use clean rags to wipe bearing. 8. Don't use cotton waste or dirty cloth to
wipe bearing.

9. Keep bearing wrapped in oilproof paper 9. Don't expose bearing to rust or dirt.
when not in use.

10. Clean inside of housing before 10. Don't nick or scratch bearings.
replacing bearing.

Various Types of Bearings

For Wide Use Features
Deep groove ball bearings

Most popular bearings, with balls inside. Capable of carrying radial

loads as well as axial loads in both directions. Very precise, low-
torque performance suitable for high-speed rotation.
Angular contact ball bearings
 Capable of carrying radial loads as well as axial loads in one
direction. Commonly used in a pair, installed in opposite directions.
Can carry greater axial loads than deep groove ball bearings.
Cylindrical roller bearings

Suitable for heavy-load applications due to excellent radial-load-

carrying capabilities. Superior performance of accommodating
vibration and impact
Tapered roller bearings

Highly capable of carrying radial loads as well as axial loads in one

direction. Commonly used in a pair, installed in opposite directions
Spherical roller bearings

Barrel-shaped rollers. Self-aligning capability to tolerate deflection

or misalignment of the shaft or housing
Needle roller bearings

Excellent load-carrying performance despite small cross section

compared with ball bearings. Lightweight and compact. Useful in
downsizing equipment.

Bearing failures and causes

Rolling bearings are precision and reliable machine elements. They are
produced in millions and have a wide field of application.

The vast majority give satisfactory service but some do fail to attain
expectation. A failed bearing may be defined as one which does not
run for its expected service life. Its life is prematurely terminated by a
disorder which either should not have occurred or which was not
foreseen. If a bearing exceeds its anticipated life before it fails, it
cannot be strictly called a failure. No component containing
moving parts lasts long ever.

Experience shows that failures are rare due to faults in the bearings
but more to external causes such as errors in mounting, operation etc,.
In order to identify the prime causes of bearings failures, it is essential
to analyse the defects carefully to find out the source of trouble.

Counter measures for the rolling bearing operational problems and

damages are given below.

Post RequirementDisplay Requirement

 Welcome to
Bearingsolution

Member's
Help Requirements Searches About Bearings
Services
Bearing failures and causes

Rolling bearings are precision and reliable machine elements. They are
produced in millions and have a wide field of application.

The vast majority give satisfactory service but some do fail to attain
expectation. A failed bearing may be defined as one which does not run for
its expected service life. Its life is prematurely terminated by a disorder
which either should not have occurred or which was not foreseen. If a
bearing exceeds its anticipated life before it fails, it cannot be strictly called
a failure. No component containing moving parts lasts long ever.

Experience shows that failures are rare due to faults in the bearings but
more to external causes such as errors in mounting, operation etc,. In order
to identify the prime causes of bearings failures, it is essential to analyse
the defects carefully to find out the source of trouble.

Counter measures for the rolling bearing operational problems and

damages are given below.

ROLLING BEARING OPERATINAL PROBLEMS AND COUNTER

MEASURES

Type of problem Probable Causes Counter Measures

Abnormal rise in Excessive lubrication, Use required amount

temperature starved lubrication of grease only,
improper Lubricant Replenish lubricant at
right intervals, Select
proper lubricant

Vibration Brinelling, Flaking Replace bearing,

Improper mounting Handle bearings with
care & mount properly
Solidified, Discolored, Contaminants in the Operating
Leakage of Lubricant Lubricant. temperature higher
Deterioration of than lubricant temp-
Lubricant quality due select stiffer grease,
to aging etc. renewal of Lubricant
intervals, Cleaning of
surround parts.

Loud metallic noise Improper mounting, Take care while

Improper or mounting selection of
inadequate lubricant. proper lubricant &
replenish right
amount of lubricant.

High Pitch noise Insufficient operating Select proper radial

Clearance clearance

Irregular noise Excessive operating Select proper radial

radial Clearance. Clearance

Dirt noise (Frog Noise) Contamination Replace bearing, use

clean lubricant.

ROLLING BEARING DAMAGES & MEASURES

Damage/Sympto Type of Failure Probable Causes Counter

ms Measures
Flaking Flaking on one Excessive/axial Review
side of the load application
Separation of raceway (off condition
particles from centre flaking)
surfaces in the Correct faulty
form of flakes. Flaking of Out of housing
raceway at two roundness of
opposite housing bore Review
locations assembly
(symmetrical Deflection of procedures.Sele
pattern) shaft improper ct bearing with
mounting larger radial
Flaking pattern clearance,
inclined with Shock load correct
respect to track during mounting squareness of
(diagonal flaking or when non shaft to husing
) rotating shoulder.

Flaked raceway In sufficient Improve

with same operating assembly
spacing as clearance, methods
rolling elements. exvessive load,
improper Review shaft &
Prematured lubricant housing fits,
flaking of bearing
raceways and clearance &
rolling elements lubricant.

Seizure
Discolouration of Insufficient Review shaft &
Bearing gets rings and rolling clearance, housing fits,
heated up. Rings elements Insufficient bearing radial
and rolling Lubricant clearance,
elements Improper supply adequate
becomes mounting and correct
discolored. lubricant,
improve
assembly
methods
Crack Crack on rings Excessive shock Examine loading
loads, large fillet
 radius. Excessive condition
Split around the Crack in rib interference fit
circumference or Fillet radius must
ring. (radial Excessive be smaller than
cracking ) interference bearing chamfer.
shock load
Split in axial applied to rib Modify the fits.
dimension of during
inner and outer mounting. Take more care
rings (axial in handling and
cracking ) mounting.
Retainer Loose Fitting Check housing &
Cage fracture shaft size
Damage Inadequate
lubrication. Revaluation of
Loosening of Misaligned lubricating
rivets, fracture mounting. conditions.
of cagepockets
Presence of dirt Reduce
mounting errors.
Take more care
in handling.
Corrosion & Rust
Rust on fitting Lubricants Periodical
Surfaces surfaces and containing acid, inspection of
becomes rusted inside the water Hand lubricant. Take
either bearing. perspiration care when
handling
bearings.
Fretting Rust
Formation of iron Slackness of Review
Rust wear oxide powder on mounting parts interference and
powder forms on fitting surface use suitable
mating surfaces. bonding
methods.
Flow of electric
Electrolytic Fluting, brown current through Insulate bearings
corrosion marks over track rollers or install
circumference earthing to stop
parallel to axis. Passage of electricity flow.
current, low
voltage
 Creep
Wear out in ring Slackness of Review the
Slow rotational mounting mounting parts. precision of shaft
movement of surfaces. Sleeves not and housing.
ring in relation fastened Tighten the
to its seating. sleeve.
Wear Usage of clean
Wearing of Entrapment of lubricant.
Dimensional raceways, rolling foreign particles
deformation as a elements, rib in lubricant, Improve sealing
result of wear and cage. inadequate performance.
out of surfaces. lubricant
Smearing Usage of clean
Scratched Entrapment of lubricant.
Surfaces surfaces of track foreign particles
becomes rough and rolling in lubricant, Improve sealing
elements. Inadequate performance
lubricant
Indentation
Indentation of Mounting forces Improve
Surface denting track in same applied through assembly
due to pattern as rolling rolling elements methods, tight
mechanical elements. or shock loads fitted ring should
shock when not be mounted first
rotating.

Forget PasswordEdit Personal DataEnter StockAppend StockCheck Stock

Welcome to
Bearingsolution

Member's
Help Requirements Searches About Bearings
Services

Mounting of Bearings

The essential requirements to achieve a long service life of

rolling bearings are the use of suitable mounting tools, utmost
cleanliness and care while assembling. Prior to mounting,
inspection of surrounding components is essential and burrs to
 be removed. Shaft and housing shoulders to be cleaned and
bearing seatings to be checked for diameter conformance and
form accuracies. A thin oil film coating on the seating area will
help easy mounting of bearings. Bearings with cylindrical bore
are cold mounted and use of hand or hydraulic press is also
recommended.
As a rule non-separable bearings, mounting and dismounting
forces must be applied directly to the ring which is being fitted. If
tight fit is required for the inner ring of non-separable bearing
and push fir for outer ring, the bearing will be first fitted on the
shaft and then the shaft assembly is inserted into the housing.
As a general rule, the roating member should have the
interference fir and bearing should be fitted on the
member which has interference.
In case where there no mechanical or hydraulic press is
available, bearings may be driven on the shafts by gentle taps
and the taps from the hammer should be transmitted to the ring
by a mild steel tube of correct size. As alternate a short length of
mild steel rectangular bar can be used as a drift. In both the
cases they should be clean, free from burrs, and have both their
ends squared off and smoothed. Also, it is particularly in case of
roller bearings that the tube or drift is made to contact the solid
section of the ring and not the face of the unsupported rib. For
heavy interference fits, an alternate way to mount bearings is to
heat the bearings or housings. Bearings with seals or shields
which are already filled with grease should not be heated.
Heating may be done using a heater or an oil bath to a
temperature of about 80C but less than 125C.
Dismounting of Bearings

Always it is advisable to dismount bearings without damaging it.

This is essential where it is intended to reuse the same bearing.
In case of premature failure, it is important to identify the cause
for the failure and corrective action to be taken to eliminate it.
Bearings are usually dismounted with the aid of pullers. They are
applied directly to the tight fitted ring. If no other means are
available bearing may be driven off with a hammer and drift.
High blows should be applied evenly around the circumference of
the bearing.