Influence of oil contamination on vibration and wear in ball and roller bearings

• Published in: Industrial lubrication and tribology Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. 137 - 142
• Main Authors: Maru, M.M, Serrato-Castillo, R, Padovese, L.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Ball bearings; Bearings; Contamination; Friction; Lifetime; Lubricants & lubrication; Noise; Studies; Vibration; Viscosity; Wear; Vibration; Bearings; Wear; Contamination
• ISSN: 0036-8792; 1758-5775
• DOI: 10.1108/00368790710746101

Purpose - This work aims to compare the vibration behavior of roller and ball bearings operating with clean and quartz-contaminated lubricants. Wear influence on vibration of both bearing types was also compared.Design methodology approach - Experimental tests were run in clean and contaminated mineral oil. Contaminant quartz particles of 59 μm average size were tested in three concentration levels: 0.05, 0.25 and 0.5 g l. Radial vibration of the roller bearing was measured by accelerometer and wear was analyzed through microscopy of the surfaces and optical spectrometry of oils.Findings - Differences in vibration response among both bearing types were observed regarding the root mean square value of vibration data in the high frequency band (600-10,000 Hz); differences in wear influence on vibration were also identified and correlated to the differences in the tribological features.Originality value - This paper presents a methodology for detecting contamination and wear of roller bearings by applying a simple procedure of vibration monitoring and analysis.