The most common cause of premature bearing failure is insufficient lubrication, and even the best bearing will eventually fail if it is greased improperly. Because grease is a vital part of the bearing, housing, and sealing, selecting the proper bearing grease is essential for ensuring high reliability and long operational life.
Grease is a kind of oil that has been thickened using a thickening agent to make it sticker, allowing it to stay in place in the bearing and not leak out. Grease is mostly utilised in heavy-duty applications, and one of its key benefits is that it provides continual lubrication over a long period of time without the need for monitoring or maintenance.
While the chemical structure of grease should be taken into account when choosing the proper grease, it is not the only factor to consider when evaluating grease quality. In this article, we are going to highlight 3 main factors to consider when choosing the right grease for your bearings.
Temperature
They all operate at different temperatures depending on the type of grease used. However, when the grease is utilised at a temperature below its threshold, it suffers from "starvation," which causes the grease to become excessively dry and cause minimal oil bleeding. Increased shear strength is another situation, in which the grease becomes overly stiff to prevent the bearing. You can also consider buying high temperate grease at an affordable price. High-temperature greases are ideal for lubricating parts such as roller bearings that are exposed to extreme conditions.
Viscosity
One of the most significant features of a lubricant is its viscosity. The thickness of the lubricating layer will be determined by the load, speed, and surfaces in contact. The viscosity of grease is determined by the bearings' load and speed. When the bearing speed rises, the viscosity should lower in accordance.
Excess viscosity can result in an increase in heat generation and energy usage. Both of these are harmful to the bearing's and grease's health. As the bearing runs hotter, the lower the viscosity of the lubricant becomes. It causes the grease to be used up and requires more repeated applications of fresh grease. When the lubricant is totally reduced, the bearings will fail prematurely.
Re-lubrication Intervals
It's important to remember that applying the right amount of grease at the right intervals is equally essential. Greasing too much or too little, as well as using ineffective lubrication methods, might reduce the bearing's service life.
Over-Greasing
Using too much grease can result in an excessively high operating temperature and a considerable risk of heat build-up. The open space inside a bearing is important for heat to escape from the contact points between the balls and the raceway. As a result, excessive grease can damage seals and cause bearing failure prematurely.
Under-Greasing
Using insufficient grease, on the other hand, may shorten the life of your bearing. Applying less grease than required might raise temperatures and metal contact, causing the bearing to wear out prematurely. Spikes in noise levels and relatively high-temperature readings are signs that your bearing has been under-greased, which can lead to bearing failure.
So, these are some of the factors to consider for buying the right product SKF grease for your bearings.