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SERVICES
Failure investigation
ROLLING BEARING FAILURES
Index of rolling bearing failure and damage mechanisms:
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01.0 - track markings
02.0 - fatigue failure
03.0 - premature fatigue
04.0 - fitting damage
05.0 - lubrication failures
06.0 - loss of internal clearance
07.0 - wear
08.0 - fretting damage
09.0 - manufacturing defects
10.0 - electrical damage
INTRODUCTION
Examination of failed components is a crucial element in failure diagnosis and is frequently the starting point in any failure investigation.
The illustrations that follow have been specifically selected to highlight particular mechanisms of failure. It should not be overlooked, however, that the initial cause may lead to secondary damage that obscures the original event. Care and experience may be needed to separate primary and secondary effects.
It is important to realise that rolling bearings have a finite life, the repeated high stressing at the contacts between rolling elements and tracks eventually resulting in fatigue damage to the surfaces. There are, however, a large number of other reasons why rolling bearings fail and it is crucial to distinguish between these and normal fatigue when investigating failures.
Following are the main mechanisms of bearing damage and failure, but examination of used bearings that have not failed can still give valuable information on the conditions under which the bearing has been operating. This forms the first section.