If any bearing operates under very hostile conditions, then you must make a proper selection of the lubricants. This will not only reduce maintenance, but also improve the life of your machines. Studies revealed that lack of proper lubrication usually is the primary reason for the failure of bearings.
In various applications such as ovens, furnaces, or any high-temperature blowers and fans proper lubrication is very important. Almost 34{fb05745c5a51e0897d66edf5a51e8534592529180c2c5aa85bc23a3e1870f42d} of the unwarranted machine breakdowns are because of improper lubrication. Therefore, LGHP 2 SKF high temperature grease (จาร บี ทน ความ ร้อน skf, term in Thai) supplied by Teo Nooseng Co., Ltd is preferred for such applications.
Failure of bearings is generally attributed to any one of these as mentioned below:
- Deterioration may cause due to prolonged service with insufficient relubrication intervals.
- Inadequate quantity, or lubricant viscosity
- Lubricant contamination due to bearing of certain foreign materials.
- Lubricant deterioration is caused by operating conditions beyond its capabilities.
- Selecting grease while the operating conditions need oil.
- Choosing the wrong grease for a certain application.
A few of the extreme operating conditions can be as follows:
1. High temperature
In equipment, bearings may get exposed to high temperature e.g.
- Oven
- Furnaces
- Fans
- Blowers
- Steel mill
- Foundry equipment
- Electric motors
Operating temperatures are an important factor to select the oil or grease grade and the method of lubrication of bearing.
2. High vibration
High-vibration applications also need grease with sufficient mechanical stability for preventing its collapse back into your bearing rolling element’s path. You will need such a type of grease that can prevent churning and channel away from the path of rolling.
3. Heavy dirt or any other contamination
In the following applications, contamination can always be severe:
- Foundry
- Steel mill equipment
- Taconite handling conveyors
- Cement-processing machinery
- Agriculture, logging, construction equipment
- Utility fields
You need to select the right lubricant for good bearing performance.
4. Low temperature
Even extremely low-temperature can also pose special problems both for bearings and lubricants. The lubricant will thicken and thus viscosity increases. Therefore, there will be variations in equipment operation in summer and winter.
5. High-moisture
Bearings may contact with moisture in the following applications:
- Farm machinery
- Steel mill quench rolls
- Equipment sitting idle in open storage
- Food machinery
The bearing may get corroded and hence you need to use high-quality grease having corrosion inhibitors and also good moisture control properties.
6. High-velocity airflow
In such cases, you must either switch to grease, provided loads and speeds permit, or you may use special pressure-equalized and air-baffled bearing housings.
7. Heavy loads and very high speeds
In such a case, a circulating oil system may remove heat that is generated either by the bearing or has been transmitted to it from any external source. So, you must remove impurities from your oil by using a filtration device. Also, maintain a sufficient oil supply to your bearings.
8. Semi-vacuum atmospheres
Sometimes, bearings are available on equipment that may operate in a semi-vacuum atmosphere, e.g. vacuum pumps, wind tunnels, axial-flow blowers, and fans. At very low vacuum pressures needs oils or greases with low vapor pressure, good water-separation properties, oxidation stability, and free of gas and moisture.
