ANALYSIS OF GREASE CONTAMINATION INFLUENCE ON THE INTERNAL RADIAL CLEARANCE OF BALL BEARINGS BY THERMOGRAPHIC INSPECTION

One of the most important factors influencing ball bearings service life is its internal radial clearance. However, this parameter is also very complex because it depends on applied radial load and ball bearings dimensions, surface finish, and manufacturing materials. Thermal condition of ball bearings also significantly affects internal radial clearance. Despite many researches performed in order to find out relevant facts about different aspects of ball bearings thermal behaviour, only few of them are dealing with the real working conditions, where high concentration of solid contaminant particles is present. That is why the main goal of research presented in this paper was to establish statistically significant correlation between ball bearings temperatures, their working time, and concentration of contaminant particles in their grease. Because of especially difficult working conditions, the typical conveyor idlers bearings were selected as representative test samples and appropriate solid particles from open pit coal mines were used as artificial contaminants. Applied experimental methodology included thermographic inspection, as well as usage of custom designed test rig for ball bearings service life testing. Finally, by obtained experimental data processing in advanced software, statistically significant mathematical correlation between mentioned bearings characteristics was determined and applied in commonly used internal radial clearance equation. That is the most important contribution of performed research the new equation and methodology for ball bearings internal clearance determination which could be used for eventual improvement of existing bearings service life equations.