Bearings Damage & Failure Analysis

By assessing these and other aspects of bearings, professionals can identify the cause, or potential cause, of bearing failures. This requires in-depth knowledge of the many types of bearings and how those bearings are supposed to function. Professionals with this knowledge can isolate the source of trouble and provide recommendations for repairs and appropriate maintenance.

Some of the most common bearing failures include damage to the cage, foreign objects in the bearings, brinelling and false brinelling, and flaking or spalling in the raceway.

However, there are many ways the smooth work of bearings may fail, so professional bearing analysis services are critical for isolating trouble spots and avoiding trouble in the future.

• Brinelling: Thrust forces during mounting or dismounting cause minute dents in the bearing raceways.
• Cage Damage: Vibration, excessive speed, wear, and blockage lead to a compromised cage structure.
• Contamination: The entrance of foreign objects into the bearing results in scratches, pits, and lapping of the raceways.
• Electric Arcing: Electric current disruptions produce high localized temperatures, causing pits on the raceways and rolling elements.
• False Brinelling: Vibration in a static bearing leads to steel attrition and axial or circumferential indentations on the raceways.
• Fatigue Failure: Excessive loads or normal wear and tear result in flaking or spalling of the raceway due to a granular weakening of the bearing steel.
• Lubrication Failure: Inadequate or deteriorated grease leads to loss of lubricity, discoloration, and a burnt odor.
• Misalignment: Misalignment between bearing sides results in uneven roller paths, which can lead to high temperatures and lubricant degradation.
• Path Patterns: Examining wear path patterns in used bearings helps to diagnose whether they've been operating under proper or improper conditions.