The effect of contamination particles on lithium grease deterioration in sealed ball bearings

Abstract

AbstractWith advanced analytical methods, the effects of four kinds of contamination particles, including Fe, Cu, and MoS2 powders, on lithium grease deterioration in sealed ball bearings has been studied. As the deterioration process of grease at high temperatures is triggered by chemical factors, so a number of tests have been conducted at 125°C to investigate its effect upon the deterioration process of grease, with various particles, under the condition of a bearing speed of 3000 r/min. As well as the deterioration phenomena, the mechanism of the deterioration of lithium grease in a sealed bearing with particles is also discussed in detail.