Bearing failure can lead to innumerable problems for your equipment and operation: unplanned downtime, increased maintenance and repair costs and equipment damage, to name a few. In this article, we will look at various bearing failure types, what causes them, and how to prevent them.
Common Causes of Bearing Failure
Read on to learn the most frequent causes of bearing failure.
Particle contamination: Contamination by dust, dirt and other outside particles — even just 10 or 20 microns in diameter — can vastly increase wear and tear on bearings, leading to premature failure. Particle contamination compromises the effectiveness of bearing lubrication and concentrates friction in a more focused area, increasing maintenance needs and decreasing the life of the bearing.
Insufficient lubrication: Lubricant leakage is the most common cause of improper or insufficient lubrication. Without proper lubrication, bearings are subject to increased friction and heat, which increases stress throughout the bear, ing and leads to premature failure.
Improper mounting: Improper mounting on the rotation ring can cause excessive damage to the bearing through friction and blunt force. Bearings must be mounted with the correct amount of force — not too loose or too tight — and must be carefully calibrated and aligned in order to avoid premature failure. In general, a press fit is the most effective way to mount a bearing.
Harsh conditions: Like most other equipment, bearings that regularly encounter conditions like corrosive environments (such as salt or chemicals in the air), harsh chemicals, outdoor operation and operation in dirty environments are very vulnerable to excessive wear and tear, corrosion and damage. Ensure that these bearings are regularly checked and properly protected to whatever extent possible.
Improper sealing: Bearing seals and isolators are a key method in preventing many of these issues, primarily keeping contaminants out of the bearing and keeping lubricant in. Without a proper seal, bearings are much more subject to these problems and the maintenance issues that come along with them.
ISOMAG the Ideal Bearing Protection Solution
ISOMAG designs and manufactures an innovative line of bearing seals — the original magnetic-face seal, designed to minimize wear and tear, extend the life of equipment and provide a, liquid-tight seal that prevents contaminant ingress and lubricant egress. Our unique design incorporates magnetic energy to create a positive, long-lasting bearing protection device, which will not cause wear to the host equipment. ,
ISOMAG’s innovative technology will alleviate four of the five bearing failure modes listed above: particle contamination, insufficient lubrication, harsh environments, and of course improper sealing. A simple bearing seal upgrade can have a tremendous impact on your equipment’s bearing life.
We are ready to share our expertise in maximizing bearing efficiency, extending equipment and bearing life and reducing your overall maintenance time and costs. Explore our full line of bearing seal products to learn more.