An Introduction to Bearing Technology

Understanding bearings
Why bearings?
The word BEARING derived from the word BEAR which means TO SUPPORT

Which is what bearings do ...

SUPPORT and GUIDE other machine elements
The ball bearings in this electric motor support and guide the rotor

A short history of Bearings

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Bearing Evolution
3500 B.C.
1869

700 B.C. 40 A.D.

1995

How a bearing works

Book and Table Experiment

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How a bearing works

Book and Table Experiment

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Sven Wingquist and his Self-Aligning Ball Bearing

means Swedish Bearing Factory

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Bearing Innovations
1972
1907 1919 1939 1995

1900

1950

2000

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Basics Of Bearings

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Bearing functions

Reduce friction

Carry loads
Support shaft

Locate shaft vis--vis housing

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Rolling and Sliding friction

Plain bearings: sliding friction

Rolling bearings: rolling friction

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Understanding bearings
Two types?
SLIDING or BUSH or JOURNAL bearings and ROLLING or ANTIFRICTION bearings

ANTI-FRICTION bearings so called because they have a lower coefficient of friction (0.00015 - 0.004) as compared to that of journal bearings (0.008 to 0.020)
The lower coefficient of friction is achieved by the super-finishing of raceways

Understanding bearings
Whats the difference?
JOURNAL BEARINGS The shaft which supports the load runs in a lubricated bush

Lubricant

Journal bearing

ROLLING BEARINGS The shaft which supports the load is mounted on rolling bearings whose rolling elements transmit the load roll through hardened rings
Rolling element Hardened inner ring Hardened outer ring

Roller and Ball Raceway Contact

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Roller Types
Ball Spherical roller (symmetrical) Spherical roller (asymmetrical)

Cylindrical roller Needle roller

Taper roller

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Component Parts of a Ball Bearing

Cage Outer Ring

Rolling Element Inner Ring

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Component Parts of a Ball Bearing

Seal Outer ring

Rolling elements Cage

Inner ring Seal

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Understanding bearings
Classification?
Rolling bearings are classified as Ball Bearings and Roller Bearings depending on the shape of their rolling elements Ball Bearings
Deep Groove Ball Bearings Single Row Double Row

Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Self Aligning Ball Bearings

Thrust Bearings

Angular Contact Thrust Bearings

Understanding bearings
Classification?
Rolling bearings are classified as Ball Bearings and Roller Bearings depending on the shape of their rolling elements Roller Bearings
Cylindrical Roller Bearings Single Row Double Row

Spherical Roller Bearings

Taper Roller Bearings

Spherical Roller Thrust Bearings

Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings

Understanding bearings
Components in a Rolling Bearing
Outer ring
Rolling elements Inner ring Cage

Exceptions to the rule ...

Cylindrical Roller Bearings without inner rings for direct shaft running arrangements Full complement Cylindrical and Needle Roller Bearings without cages

Understanding bearings
Any other components? Additional Components in a Rolling Bearing (optional)
Integrated seals Snap rings Metal Shields Rubber Seals

AND
An indispensable component in bearings LUBRICATION

GREASE

OIL

Roller and Ball Raceway Contact

Ball bearings Ball Bearings
Deep groove ball bearing Angular contact ball bearing Self-aligning ball bearing

Point Contact : * Less area of contact * Less friction * More speed * Less load

Roller bearings Roller Bearings

Cylindrical roller bearing Taper Needle roller roller bearing bearing Spherical roller bearing

Line Contact : * More area of contact * More friction * Less speed * More load

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Terminology Used

Bore surface O.D. Bore

O.D. surface

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Terminology Used
Outer ring raceway Outer ring land

Side faces Inner ring land

Inner ring raceway

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Axial, Radial and Combined loads

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The Principle SKF Rolling Bearing Range

Ball bearings

Roller bearings

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Ball and Roller Bearing Ranges

Ball bearings
Deep groove Angular contact Self-aligning

Roller bearings
Spherical

Cylindrical Taper Needle

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Load Capabilities

Load carrying capacity is expressed as the basic dynamic load rating

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Relative Speed Limitations

r/min

Oil lubrication speed rating

Grease lubrication speed rating

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Ball Bearing Capabilities

Deep groove Angular contact Self-aligning

Radial load carrying capacity

Axial load carrying capacity

Speed capability

Accommodates misalignment

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Cylindrical Roller Bearing Capabilities

NU NJ NUP

More and larger rollers optimised surface finish Improved roller end/flange contact geometry 3 cage variants: steel, polyamide, brass

NU+HJ

NJ+HJ

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Taper Roller Bearing Capabilities

Optimised SKF design

optimised surface finish increases service life

Improved roller end/flange contact greatly reduces friction

Optimum utilisation of cross section

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Spherical Roller Bearing Capabilities

Symmetrical rollers provide maximum life under any conditions Floating guide ring gives minimum friction and helps ensure reliable operation Window-type steel cages strong and tolerant to high temperatures

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CARB Toroidal Roller Bearing Capabilities

Accommodates shaft misalignment to maximise service life Axial displacement capability minimises friction

High radial carrying capacity increases reliability

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Materials Used for SKF Rolling Bearings

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Materials Used for SKF Rolling Bearings

Bearing rings and rolling elements

Through-hardening steels Carbon chromium steel containing approximately 1 % carbon and 1.5 % chromium

Case-hardening steels
Chromium-nickel alloyed steel and manganese-chromium alloyed steel containing approximately 0.15 % carbon

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Heat Treatments
Advantages
Martensite hardening
Less costly Fixture can be used to reduce distortion

Bainitic hardening
Tough structure Automatic dimensional stability Compressive residual surface stresses

Case hardening
Hard surface and soft core resists through cracking Highest compressive residual surface stresses

Disadvantages
Martensite hardening
Highest risk of propagation of surface cracks

Bainitic hardening
Somewhat more costly than martensite Lower hardness

Case hardening
Time consuming and costly process

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Dimensional Stability
Change in diameter (m/100 mm)

Martensite

Bainite

Hours

Holding time at 200 C (392 F)

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Classification of Dimensional Stability

Stabilisation class Operating temperature Hardness HRC

SN
S0 S1 S2 S3 S4

up to 120 C (248 F)
up to 150 C (302 F) up to 200 C (392 F) up to 250 C (482 F) up to 300 C (572 F) up to 350 C (662 F)

59 to 63
58 to 62 57 to 61 56 to 60 54 to 58 50 to 54

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Hardening Processes - Effects

Martensite hardening Bainite hardening Case hardening Standard applications Standard bearings Heavily loaded bearings Spherical roller bearings Extreme heavily loaded bearings (+ shock loads) Large size bearings Specific applications Bearings fitted with loose fit (rolling mills) Surface hardening Specific applications Hub units, slewing rings

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Cage

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Function of the cage

Prevent immediate contact between rolling elements to minimize friction and heat generation
Guide the rolling elements Provide space for lubricant Retain the rolling elements when bearings of separable design are mounted or dismounted

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Cage Variants

Polyamide cage

Window-type sheet steel cage

Window-type solid brass cage

2012-12-29 SKF Slide 43 [Code] SKF [Organisation]

Understanding bearings
Cages

Steel rivet

Steel cages used in deep groove ball bearings are made from sheet metal which is formed in different stages to suit the ball which is held between them The two halves of the steel cage are riveted to hold them together

Polyamide cages are moulded

Two halves of the steel cage

Brass cages are machined

Polyamide Cages

+ +

Lightweight

High elasticity
Good sliding properties Good marginal lubrication properties Operating temperature < +120 C

+
+

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Window Type Sheet Steel Cages

+ + + +
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Lightweight

High strength No operating temperature limit

High vibration and acceleration resistance Sensitive to poor lubrication

Window Type Solid Brass Cage

+ + +
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Very high strength

Very high vibration and acceleration resistance Suitable for very high speed in connection with circulating oil Relatively (very) expensive

Understanding bearings
How are bearings numbered? Commonly used system for bearing nomenclature
PREFIX Defines a component or a design
EXAMPLE In cylindrical roller bearings NU, NJ, NUP, N, NF, NCF, etc
Outer diameter series Deep Groove Ball Bearing Width Series O x 5 = Bore diameter Exception Bore diameter < 20 and > 495 mm

BEARING NUMBER

SUFFIX
Defines radial radial clearance, seal design, seal material, special grease filling, special heat treatment, special designs

6 2 0 5

Example 6205.2RSR.C3.L40

Shaft and Housing washers in case of thrust bearings; GS, WS etc

Understanding bearings
How are bearings numbered? Examples of Basic Codes of Bearings

Understanding radial clearance...

What is radial clearance and how is it defined?
A clearance is always maintained between the rolling elements and the raceways in a bearing ...

and is defined as the displacement of the outer ring with reference to the inner ring and balls in the radial direction

This clearance is termed as Radial Clearance and the value is specified in microns (1/1000 th of a mm)

Understanding radial clearance...

How is radial clearance classified and designated?

Depending on the relative radial displacement of bearing rings, Radial Clearance of bearings is classified into four categories ...
C4 C3

C2, C0, C3 & C4

Normal

C0

C2

C0

C3

C2 < C0 < C3 < C4

Special requirement

C4

C2

Understanding radial clearance...

What is C2, C0, C3 and C4? Do all bearing manufacturers categorise radial clearances similarly?
C2, C0, C3 and C4 represent four radial clearance categories Each category represents a range of values ... which is specified and defined by international standards which are followed by all bearing manufacturers worldwide

Understanding radial clearance...

Are the values the same for all sizes and all types of bearings?
The radial clearance value and range specified in any particular radial clearance category depends on ...

bearing type (whether it is deep groove ball bearing, a cylindrical roller bearing, a spherical roller bearing, etc)

bearing bore (whether cylindrical or tapered) and bore diameter

Understanding radial clearance...

How do the different radial clearance categories compare?

C4

C3

C0 (Normal)

C2

This is how radial clearance values in a category compare an overlapping range exists

Understanding radial clearance...

How is radial clearance measured?
Radial clearance in deep groove ball bearings is measured by displacing the outer ring relative to the inner ring and balls using special machines

Radial clearance of cylindrical and spherical roller bearings is measured using a feeler gauge whose feelers are passed between the rollers and rings. The thickest feeler which can pass through easily is the value of radial clearance

Understanding radial clearance...

?
Where can information about radial clearance specifications be found?
In every reputed bearing manufacturers catalogues are tables which give information regarding the radial clearance of various bearing types and sizes

Reputed bearing manufacturers mark the radial clearance on the bearing, i.e 6204.C3, except when the bearing has normal or C0 radial clearance

Understanding radial clearance...

Why radial clearance?
To provide enough space within the bearing to ...

.. allow the lubricant to function between the balls and raceways and prevent metal to metal contact

.. Compensate for the influences of tight inner and / or outer ring fits

.. Compensate for the rise in temperature of the rotating inner ring (normally 5 - 10oC hotter than the outer ring)

Understanding radial clearance...

?
Why is it necessary to compensate tight fits?

A tight fitted inner ring expands on the shaft

A tight fitted outer ring contracts in the housing Expansion of inner ring Contraction of outer ring Reduction of radial clearance

+ =

Understanding radial clearance...

What is difference between Radial Clearance and Axial Clearance
Displacement of one ring with respect to another ring, in radial direction is known as Radial Clearance Displacement of one ring with respect to another ring, in axial direction is known as Axial Clearance