Bearing Brinelling: The Silent Killer of Rolling Element Bearings

Bearing brinelling is a common problem that can lead to premature bearing failure. It occurs when a bearing is subjected to a static load that exceeds its Brinell hardness. This can happen during storage, transportation, or even during operation.

Brinelling can cause a number of problems, including:

Increased vibration

Noise

Reduced bearing life

Premature bearing failure

In severe cases, brinelling can even cause the bearing to seize up.

Benefits of Preventing Bearing Brinelling

There are a number of benefits to preventing bearing brinelling, including:

Increased bearing life

Reduced maintenance costs

Improved machine reliability

Reduced downtime

How to Prevent Bearing Brinelling

There are a number of things you can do to prevent bearing brinelling, including:

Use bearings with a high enough Brinell hardness for the application

Avoid exposing bearings to static loads that exceed their Brinell hardness

Use proper storage and handling techniques

Use bearing protectors during transportation

Stories

Story 1

A manufacturing plant was experiencing premature failure of its bearings. The plant engineer investigated and found that the bearings were being brinelled during storage. The engineer implemented a number of measures to prevent brinelling, including using bearings with a higher Brinell hardness and using proper storage techniques. The result was a significant increase in bearing life.

Story 2

A construction company was experiencing problems with its bearings seizing up on its heavy equipment. The company engineer investigated and found that the bearings were being brinelled during transportation. The engineer implemented a number of measures to prevent brinelling, including using bearing protectors during transportation. The result was a significant reduction in bearing failures.

Sections

Section 1: Basic Concepts of Bearing Brinelling

Brinelling can cause a number of problems, including:

Increased vibration

Noise

Reduced bearing life

Premature bearing failure

In severe cases, brinelling can even cause the bearing to seize up.

Section 2: Challenges and Limitations of Preventing Bearing Brinelling

Preventing bearing brinelling can be a challenge, especially in applications where the bearings are subjected to high static loads. However, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk of brinelling, including:

Use bearings with a high enough Brinell hardness for the application

Avoid exposing bearings to static loads that exceed their Brinell hardness

Use proper storage and handling techniques

Use bearing protectors during transportation

Potential Drawbacks and Mitigating Risks

There are a few potential drawbacks to preventing bearing brinelling. These drawbacks include:

Increased cost: Bearings with a higher Brinell hardness are typically more expensive than bearings with a lower Brinell hardness.

Reduced availability: Bearings with a higher Brinell hardness may not be as readily available as bearings with a lower Brinell hardness.

Increased weight: Bearings with a higher Brinell hardness are typically heavier than bearings with a lower Brinell hardness.

These drawbacks can be mitigated by carefully considering the application and selecting the appropriate bearing for the job.

Call to Action

If you are experiencing problems with bearing brinelling, or if you want to prevent bearing brinelling from occurring in the future, contact a qualified bearing supplier. A qualified bearing supplier can help you select the right bearing for your application and provide you with the information you need to prevent bearing brinelling.

Tables

Table 1: Brinell Hardness of Common Bearing Steels

Steel	Brinell Hardness
AISI 52100	700-800
AISI 440C	580-640
AISI 304	180-220

Table 2: Maximum Allowable Static Load for Bearings

Bearing Type	Maximum Allowable Static Load (N)
Ball bearing	0.1 x (Brinell hardness x bore diameter)
Roller bearing	0.2 x (Brinell hardness x bore diameter)

Bearing Brinelling: The Silent Killer of Rolling Element Bearings