Grease Lubrication of Ultra-High Speed Rolling Contact Bearings

The failure mechanisms of grease lubricated ball bearings operating in the DN range from 1.0 × 10⁶ to 2.0 × 10⁶ was studied. A new rig capable of controlled operation of 20 and 25 mm ball bearings at speeds up to 100,000 rpm is described. Ball separator design seems to be a very important factor and a lightweight single piece machines outer ring controlled ball separator appeared to give the best results. In general, mechanical factors such as vibration, bearing design, bearing fit and tolerances, dynamic balance, load alignment, etc., have more influence on the performance of the bearings studied than gross grease variables. Under ideal conditions it is indicated that adequate lubrication with grease is possible for periods over 100 hours. However, under the test conditions generally in existence in the ultra high speed rigs grease lubrication was only adequate for very short periods.

Grease compositional factors leading to better performance are smooth texture and hard consistency. At the temperature investigated diester type oil was slightly superior to mineral oil and greatly superior to silicone oil.