Abrasive Wear of Rolling Bearings by Lubricant Borne Particles

Abstract

Damage caused by lubricant borne particles in rolling/sliding contacts can severely reduce the operational life of machine elements such as cam mechanisms, roller bearings, gears, and pumps. Lubricant supplies frequently contain such contaminating particles, either generated from within the machinery itself or entrained from the surroundings. The particle can be entrained into a lubricated contact and damage the bearing surfaces. Many such individual abrasive actions can lead to significant change in the surface profile of the rolling elements. In this work, a series of experiments has been carried out to investigate the mechanism of this surface damage and abrasion process when the contaminating particles are small and hard. The tests show, how particles are entrained into the contacts, the form of the scratches they produce, and the resulting surface profile changes. On the basis of these observations, a model of the abrasive wear process has been developed. The prediction of abrasive wear compares qualitatively well with observed form change on the bearing surface.