Q: What is thermal cracking in ball bearings? How does it occur?
A: Thermal cracking is a common mode of failure in bearings caused by overheating. Fundamentally, it results from excessively high temperatures, which cause the bearing material to expand and generate excessive internal stress, ultimately leading to cracks.
Preventive Measures Against Thermal Cracking of Bearings:
1. Lubricate sliding surfaces or apply coatings to reduce localized peak temperatures.
2. Ensure adequate lubrication: apply the appropriate lubricant in the correct quantity and at the proper time.
3. Consult with the Application Engineering Services department to identify solutions suitable for the specific application.
The following are several cases of thermal cracking in deep groove ball bearings.
Due to insufficient lubrication, the outer ring of the ball bearing suffered thermal cracking at the contact points with the cage shoulders.
Fracture of the deep groove ball bearing's inner ring caused by excessive friction against the stationary component.
An enlarged view of a cracked inner ring from a deep groove ball bearing, revealing numerous thermal expansion cracks running along the inner ring shoulder.
