Bearing lubrication misunderstandings revealed, 90% of people don't know!

Bearings are an indispensable core component of mechanical equipment, and their lubrication status directly affects the operating efficiency and service life of the equipment. However, in actual operation, many users have many cognitive misunderstandings about bearing lubrication, which may lead to premature damage to bearings, reduced equipment efficiency, and even safety accidents. This article will systematically analyze the common misunderstandings of bearing lubrication and provide scientific lubrication solutions.

Misunderstanding 1: The more grease, the better

Many operators think that the more grease is added, the better, which is actually a serious cognitive error. Excessive lubrication will cause the internal pressure of the bearing to increase, resulting in additional friction resistance, which not only increases energy consumption, but also causes the grease to overheat and deteriorate. Scientific research shows that the filling volume of the bearing cavity should be controlled at 30%-50%, and high-speed bearings should be lower.

Misunderstanding 2: All bearings use the same grease

The requirements for grease for bearings under different working conditions are significantly different. For example, high-temperature environments require high-temperature resistant grease, while humid environments require products with good waterproof performance. When choosing grease, you need to consider factors such as operating temperature, speed, load and environmental conditions. You cannot simply use the same grease to deal with all scenarios.

2.1 Temperature adaptability misunderstanding

Many users ignore the impact of operating temperature on grease performance. In fact, the oxidation rate of grease doubles for every 10°C increase in temperature. In high temperature environments, grease with synthetic base oil formula should be selected, which has better high temperature stability and anti-oxidation performance.

Misunderstanding 3: Ignoring lubrication cycle management

A reasonable lubrication cycle is the key to ensuring the normal operation of bearings. Many companies either over-lubricate and waste, or under-lubricate and cause wear. It is recommended to establish a lubrication plan based on equipment operating time and working conditions, and regularly check the lubrication status and adjust the lubrication strategy in time.

Misunderstanding 4: New bearings do not need lubrication

This is a very dangerous misunderstanding. Although new bearings are shipped with anti-rust oil, this cannot replace the working lubricant. Anti-rust oil evaporates quickly at high temperatures and cannot provide continuous lubrication protection. New bearings must be cleaned and filled with an appropriate amount of grease before installation.

Myth 5: Ignoring the selection of lubrication methods

Different lubrication methods are suitable for different scenarios. Manual lubrication is simple but difficult to control; centralized lubrication systems are efficient but costly; oil mist lubrication is suitable for high-speed bearings. The appropriate lubrication method should be selected according to the characteristics of the equipment and maintenance conditions.

Myth 6: Not monitoring the lubrication status

Many users do not check the lubrication status until the bearing makes abnormal noise or the temperature rises, which often causes irreversible wear. It is recommended to regularly sample and analyze the grease status, monitor its color, consistency and contamination, and detect and solve problems in time.

6.1 Condition monitoring technology

Modern monitoring technologies such as vibration analysis and infrared thermal imagers can detect poor lubrication problems early. Although these technologies require a certain amount of investment, they can significantly reduce equipment failure rates and maintenance costs.

Proper lubrication maintenance can extend the service life of bearings by more than 30% and significantly reduce equipment maintenance costs. If you have any questions about bearing lubrication, please consult our technical team and we will provide you with professional solutions.