**Analysis of Common Classification of Bearing Failure Modes**
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*Posted on July 23, 2013 by Bearing Network*
Bearings are critical components in mechanical systems, and understanding their failure modes is essential for maintaining performance and longevity. Here’s an in-depth look at the most common types of bearing failures.
**1. Contact Fatigue Failure**
Contact fatigue occurs when alternating stresses act on the bearing’s working surface during operation. This type of failure often begins with fatigue cracks that develop beneath the surface due to maximum shear stress. Over time, these cracks propagate and cause material to flake off, leading to pitting or spalling. As the damage deepens, it can result in complete detachment of the surface layer, ultimately causing failure. Contact fatigue is a major concern in high-stress applications and is often associated with long-term wear under cyclic loading.
**2. Wear and Failure**
Wear is a common issue caused by relative sliding between surfaces, leading to gradual material loss. This can reduce the bearing’s dimensional accuracy, increase clearance, and affect its smooth operation. In severe cases, wear can compromise lubrication and lead to loss of rotational precision, making the bearing unable to function properly. There are two main types of wear: abrasive wear and adhesive wear.
- **Abrasive Wear**: Occurs when foreign particles or hard objects scratch the bearing surface due to relative motion. These particles may come from external sources or internal contamination.
- **Adhesive Wear**: Happens when microscopic irregularities or foreign matter cause localized friction, generating heat and leading to surface deformation, micro-welding, or even partial melting of the metal. Severe cases can result in "seizing" or "galling."
**3. Cracking Failure**
Cracking is typically caused by either inherent defects or overload conditions. Overload cracking occurs when the applied load exceeds the material’s strength limit, often due to sudden mechanical faults or improper installation. Other causes include shrinkage cavities, air bubbles, foreign inclusions, overheating, or improper heat treatment. While many defects can be identified during manufacturing, some may still occur in service. Most cracking failures are attributed to overload rather than material flaws.
**4. Clearance Change Failure**
During operation, changes in the original clearance between mating parts can lead to reduced accuracy or even "seizing." External factors such as excessive interference, thermal expansion, or sudden overloads can cause this. Internal factors like unstable residual austenite or residual stresses may also contribute. Proper maintenance and correct installation are key to preventing clearance-related failures.
**Related Bearings Topics**
- Bearing Application Fields
- Automotive Bearings
- SKF Bearings
- Sliding Bearings
- Impregnated Composite Bearings
- Imported Bearings
- Injection Molding Brackets
- NTN Bearings
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*This article is sourced from http://www.chinabearingnetwork.com.*
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