| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
The following taken from Lubrication magazine's "Lube Tips"... Issue Focus: Bearing Lubrication TIP #1 As a rule, larger bearings and those that run at high speeds shorten grease life. Grease time-to-failure typically halves when bearing rotational speeds reach DN limits. Operation at even higher speeds can trigger early bearing failure, partly because centrifugal force throws grease from cage and raceway surfaces. Elevated operating temperature is also an enemy of greases. In fact, bearings that run at temperatures above 70 degrees C cut grease life by a factor of 1.5 for each 10 degrees C rise. Ref: M.M. Khonsari and E.R. Booser TIP #2 In most cases, roller bearings handle dirt contamination better than ball bearings because there is more area supporting the load, so the pressure is less concentrated. TIP #3 Avoid overfilling bearing housings with grease. When a bearing rotates, it is lubricated by a thin film of grease. Excess grease is moved into the cavities of the bearing and housing. If these cavities are already filled with grease, the excess has nowhere to go and remains in the bearing where it is "churned". This causes overheating which can lead to separation of the oil from the thickener, evaporation, oxidation and leakage. TIP #4 When specifying a grease for a bearing in a high water environment, consider running the water washout, water sprayoff and rust tests on the candidate grease(s). TIP #5 To ensure that the proper lubricant is used in a bearing, use a thin colored washer (anodized aluminum washers work well) at the fitting and paint the grease gun the same color as the washer. To install the washer, unscrew the grease fitting. Find a washer with an inner diameter a little larger than the outer diameter of the threaded shaft of the fitting. Insert the fitting into the washer and screw in the washer/fitting assembly. TIP #6 Rounded, rose-petal shaped platelet particles in an oil are probably from ball bearings. | ||
| Court |
>>>Lubrication magazine's "Lube Tips"... What else you doing for excitement these days? Want to swap? I'll send a dog-eared copy of Invention and Technology or Writer's Digest? Lube Tips? Sounds like an NC-17 topic. | ||
| Blake |
SHHHHH! I'm trying to concentrate. | ||
| Bomber |
don't make him loose his place, Court and I thought FDA Audit reports were exciting! |
