Brinelling - The Silent Bearing Destroyer

Brinelling is a common problem in rolling element bearings that can lead to premature failure. It is caused by the static or slow-moving indentation of a bearing raceway by a rolling element. This can occur when a bearing is subjected to a heavy load for an extended period of time, such as when a machine is not in operation.

The severity of brinelling depends on the load, the duration of the load, and the hardness of the bearing materials. Soft materials are more susceptible to brinelling than hard materials.

Brinelling can cause a number of problems, including:

• Increased vibration
• Reduced bearing life
• Premature bearing failure
• Catastrophic failure

Causes of Brinelling

The most common cause of brinelling is a heavy load being applied to a bearing for an extended period of time. This can occur when a machine is not in operation, such as when it is being stored or transported.

Other causes of brinelling include:

• Improper bearing installation
• Inadequate lubrication
• Misalignment
• Excessive vibration

Symptoms of Brinelling

The symptoms of brinelling can vary depending on the severity of the damage. In mild cases, brinelling may only cause a slight increase in vibration. In more severe cases, it can cause the bearing to seize up or fail prematurely.

Some of the symptoms of brinelling include:

• Increased vibration
• Reduced bearing life
• Premature bearing failure
• Catastrophic failure

Prevention of Brinelling

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent brinelling, including:

• Avoiding heavy loads and extended periods of static or slow-moving operation
• Ensuring that bearings are properly installed and lubricated
• Aligning bearings correctly
• Minimizing vibration

Treatment of Brinelling

If brinelling occurs, it is important to treat it as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Treatment options include:

• Replacing the damaged bearing
• Repairing the damaged bearing
• Applying a protective coating to the bearing

Advanced Features

Some bearings are available with advanced features that can help to prevent brinelling. These features include:

• Hardened raceways
• Special lubricants
• Protective coatings

Comparison of Pros and Cons

The following table compares the pros and cons of different brinelling prevention methods:

FAQs

1. What is brinelling?

Brinelling is a common problem in rolling element bearings that can lead to premature failure. It is caused by the static or slow-moving indentation of a bearing raceway by a rolling element.

2. What are the symptoms of brinelling?

The symptoms of brinelling can vary depending on the severity of the damage. In mild cases, brinelling may only cause a slight increase in vibration. In more severe cases, it can cause the bearing to seize up or fail prematurely.

3. What are the causes of brinelling?

The most common cause of brinelling is a heavy load being applied to a bearing for an extended period of time. This can occur when a machine is not in operation, such as when it is being stored or transported.

4. How can brinelling be prevented?

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent brinelling, including:

• Avoiding heavy loads and extended periods of static or slow-moving operation
• Ensuring that bearings are properly installed and lubricated
• Aligning bearings correctly
• Minimizing vibration

5. How can brinelling be treated?

If brinelling occurs, it is important to treat it as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Treatment options include:

• Replacing the damaged bearing
• Repairing the damaged bearing
• Applying a protective coating to the bearing

Interesting Stories

1. The Case of the Missing Bearing

A maintenance technician was called to a plant to investigate a machine that was making a lot of noise. The technician checked the bearings and found that one of them was missing. The technician was puzzled because he knew that the bearing had been installed just a few months ago.

The technician looked around the machine and found the missing bearing on the floor. The bearing was badly damaged and had several brinells on the raceway. The technician determined that the brinells had been caused by a heavy load being applied to the bearing while it was not in operation.

The technician replaced the damaged bearing and the machine was back up and running in no time.

2. The Case of the Overloaded Bearing

A company was having problems with a conveyor belt that was constantly breaking down. The company called a maintenance technician to investigate the problem.

The technician checked the conveyor belt and found that the bearings were failing prematurely. The technician determined that the bearings were being overloaded.

The technician recommended that the company install a larger conveyor belt motor to reduce the load on the bearings. The company installed the larger motor and the problem was solved.

3. The Case of the Misaligned Bearing

A plant was having problems with a pump that was making a lot of noise. The plant called a maintenance technician to investigate the problem.

The technician checked the pump and found that the bearings were failing prematurely. The technician determined that the bearings were misaligned.

The technician aligned the bearings and the pump was back up and running in no time.

Lessons Learned

The following are some of the lessons that can be learned from these stories:

• Brinelling is a serious problem that can lead to premature bearing failure.
• It is important to prevent brinelling by avoiding heavy loads and extended periods of static or slow-moving operation.
• It is important to ensure that bearings are properly installed and lubricated.
• It is important to align bearings correctly.
• It is important to minimize vibration.

Conclusion

Brinelling is a common problem in rolling element bearings that can lead to premature failure. It is important to understand the causes of brinelling and to take steps to prevent it. If brinelling does occur, it is important to treat it as soon as possible to prevent further damage.