Importance of Bearing Lubrication

The efficiency of your machine depends on how efficiently the bearing inside the machine functions. Considering their importance in the proper functioning of a machine unit, bearings are of utmost importance, especially in the industrial sector. To keep your bearings in good conditions and ensure that they function properly for an extensive time period, you need to regularly lubricate your bearings. Today, most of the industrial machinery depends on ball bearings for the proper conduction of smooth and repeated mechanical motions. Hence, regular and proper lubrication of ball bearings will allow you to ensure that your machines and mechanical devices function efficiently for longer periods of time. Bearings are coated in a very thin layer of the selected lubricant that provides these with sufficient protection against contamination and ensures smooth motion without any friction. Selecting the right lubricant for your machine and its proper application are two of the most important factors that contribute towards longer lifespan of your bearings. Adequate and proper maintenance of the bearing lubricant is also important for keeping your bearings in good conditions for an extended time period. In case, you are negligent of any of the aforementioned factors, there will be high chances that you are to faces problems such as improper running of the machine and bearings failure. Hence you need to be extremely careful when selecting a lubricant for your bearing. To help you understand the importance of lubrication for bearings, the following points outline the advantages of properly lubricating the bearings in your mechanical devices. Reduces Friction Lubricating the bearings with a suitable lubricant primarily contributes towards reducing friction between different moving components of a machine. Lubricating coats the bearing in a very thin layer of the selected lubricant that prevents that occurrence of eventual damage caused as a result of friction. The thin layer of lubricant prevents metal-to-metal contact between different machine components that is the major cause of friction in machines. Minimum Cage Wear Lubrication is also important for the reduction and elimination of cage wear friction. Lubricants are elemental for reducing sliding and surface friction in sliding pockets and land surfaces, in machines. This ultimately leads to reduced cage wear friction increasing the life and efficiency of the bearings. Oxidation and Corrosion Prevention Lubrication covers the bearings in a thin layer of a suitable lubricant that provides the bearing with sufficient protection against oxidation and corrosion. As a result of lubrication the bearings are coated in thin protected layers, which minimise their exposure to the harmful external elements and minimises the chances of oxidation and failure of bearings. Prevents Contamination Bearing contamination is one of the major causes of bearing failure. Bearing contaminants are usually foreign bodies such as dust, dirt and debris. When these external bodies come into contact with the surface of bearings these can cause sufficient damage and can lead to bearing failure. As lubricants form a thin sheath of protective coating on the bearings, the bearing is protected from contamination and eventual failure.