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5

Mechanical Components 5.1


5.1.2 Mechanical Fixtures and Joints
Friction bearings

1 I FEATURES AND APPLICATIONS


The friction bearings admit higher loads than ball bearings. But in no case they can replace them; there are applications in which it is preferable to use a specific type of bearing.

Fig. 01. Ball Bearing

The large oiling surface on the slide bearings vibrations shocks and noise and they are less sensitive to shakes. They allow a reduced play in the support and a few relatively big adjustment tolerances than ball bearings. It is not necessary to have so accuracy during manufacturing and assembly process. In addition, they are simpler in the design and manufacture and in cases of high diameters they are considerably cheaper than those in ball bearings. They need a minor diameter for assembling and very adaptable in construction.

Fig. 02. Friction Bearing

The precision of holding is better in the friction bearings. The shafts supported on these bearings reach a higher number of revolutions and in addition, the friction bearings duration is almost unlimited with a correct oiling film. There are bearings oiled for whole useful life but in these cases the requirements (both load and velocity) are reduced than those in lubricated bearings.

This film of lubricant can be produced by the same support in a hydrodynamic way, the own shaft when rotating creates an oil film or with hydrostatic by pumping the oil to the bearing and a lubricant film is created. In any case more lubricating is needed than with bearings and also more problems of lubricant piping and therefore during the maintenance. A defective oiling causes a failure condition. An important detail in the friction bearings is the need of a rotating time before being submitted to load and maximum velocity requirements.

Mainly the friction bearings are used in the following cases: When silence and the smoothness of running are essential conditions For a high rotation regime For mechanisms of high precision For strong shakes and vibrations When split bearings or very small diameters are required by design

1.1 I Classification of friction bearings


Bearings can be classified attending to a series of criteria. According to the direction of the force: Radial bearings for radial efforts (for example support bearings) Axial bearings for axial efforts (example thrust bearings)

According to the application: Bearings of gearboxes Bearings of engine Bearings of transmissions Bearings of turbines Bearings of machines-tools Bearings of lamination trains Etc.

According to the design: Closed bearing Vertical bearing Suspended bearing Oscillating bearing Etc.

According to the type of material: Bearing of white metal Bearing of bronze Bearing of red cast-iron Bearing of light alloy Bearing of sinterized material Etc.

According to the type of oiling and greasing: Bearing of grease Bearing of oil Water bearing Air bearing Greasing bearing by ring Greasing bearing by pressure Hydrostatic bearing Aerostatic bearing

From all the previous classifications, the first one defines in a clear way both basic types of bearings as well as calculation and selection criteria. All bearings can be grouped in axial bearings when axial loads (the movement in the shaft direction is prevented) and radial bearings when radial loads.

1.1.1

I Radial bearings

This type of bearings must absorb radial loads. Note: a radial load is that one which application direction is along the radio of the bearing.

Fig. 03. A force F acting on a radial bearing

Criteria of selection The selection criteria of a radial bearing are influenced by the forces to support, the resultant deformations caused by these forces presence (any force causes a deformation on the element where is applied); in a few cases the resistance selection, in others the maximum admissible deformation for this force value), the type of oiling used in the bearing, the bearing assembly in the set (split bearing or complete) and the conditions of operation (temperature of the environment, dampness, powder, hit, etc ...). In general in the bearings, a high precision is demanded for the machine-tools,. For that, bearings are adapted by adjustable plays. Besides it is necessary to bear in mind that when very peripheral high velocities (close to maximum shaft velocities) take place in the lubricant film an auto excited transversal vibrations are produced in the shaft. Therefore to select a radial bearing it is necessary to bear in mind the following: Workforces Maximum admissible deformation Used oiling/lubrication Speed of shaft Type of assembly (complete or split) Operation conditions. (Temperature, corrosion, dirt, etc ) With this information, it is necessary to refer the manufacturer tables and select that one which better fits the previous criteria.

Fig. 04. Radial bearings

1.1.2

I Axial bearings

The axial bearings absorb forces in the direction of the longitudinal shaft of the tree, preventing the movement in the axial direction.

Fig. 05. Axial force F applied on the axial bearing

Selection criteria of axial bearings As the selection criteria of the radial bearings is influenced by the forces to support, the operation conditions (environment temperature, dampness, powder, hit, etc) and the type and method for lubricating. In short to select a radial bearing it is necessary to bear in mind: Workforces Used lubrication Movement, transfer Operation conditions. (Temperature, corrosion, dirt. Etc...) With this information, it is necessary to refer the manufacturer tables and select that one which better fits the previous criteria.

2 I MATERIALS AND LUBRICANTS FOR BEARINGS 2.1 I Generalities


The good behaviour of a sliding couple of slide (set of elements between the movement is originated) depends on the operation conditions (load, speed, lubrication), the geometric forms and the materials and also the chosen lubricant, which must be compatible with both. It is necessary that a sliding couple matches a series of conditions to ensure the correct running of the bearing. Good capacity to retain the lubricating fluid Adequate surface finishing Low size-up risk when rolling without oiling Do not expand in an irregular way To have enough resistance both static (in shutdown condition) and dynamics (in operation) High capacity to release heat Resistance against corrosion and wear

For the sliding surface that is moving relating to the load, a hard and smooth surface is adequate (for example a tempered steel or a gray cast iron). For the opp osite surface which does not move regarding to the load, relatively soft materials are preferred with capacity for accommodation. Therefore the surface hardness must be much lower. Nevertheless, for high loads supporting shakes, it is preferable sliding couple constituted by hard materials (p. ex tempered steel/ bronze to lead). All above mentioned have a worse rotating but the resistance is compensated by a precision of higher manufacture. It is necessary that sliding couple matches a series of conditions to ensure the correct operation of the bearing.

2.2 I Materials
The materials used for manufacturing bearings can be grouped in three categories: Metallic materials Non metallic materials Compound materials

2.2.1

I Metallic materials

The white metals have excellent properties for sliding, rotation and operation with lack of lubrication (emergency) but they are not adapted for shake loads. They consist of thin films (0,1 to 2 mm) on bronze to lead, and also on tips of cast iron.

The bronze to tin and the red cast-iron are adequate to support high loads, shocks and high temperatures. The bronze to lead is adequate for very high loads at high temperatures, they support well the shake loads. It is more resistant to wear that the white metal and provides a minor friction. They are used in machine-tools, engines of explosion and steam turbines. The bronze to aluminium is used as substitute of the bronze to tin. Because of its higher hardness and bad properties in emergency operation (low lubrication) it is very sensible to dirt (take care of tightness) and to the pressure at the ends of the bearing. The gray cast-iron shows a reduced capacity of accommodation due to its very high hardness (upper rotation time, better manufacturing tolerances) and in case of lubrication the tree can be attacked if it is not tempered and rectified. The zinc alloys show a superficial hardness loss, have good properties of running and sliding in emergency conditions. The maximum temperature of the bearing does not have to exceed 80 C. The magnesium alloys for wrought-iron are used like single block bearings for small to medium loads. It is necessary to consider the thermic expansion. They are used in cam shafts, oil pumps and pressure pumps. The sinterized iron and the sinterized metals of copper, tin, zinc and lead can absorb a great amount of lubricant (about 30%) and by capillarity effect the surface is lubricated. They are used for small velocities in absence of shocks.

2.2.2

I Non metallic materials

The main problem of the non metallic materials is the release of heat produced by friction. The plastics have a coefficient of heat transmission much lower than the metal coefficient (coefficient of heat transmission indicates the material capacity to transmit heat, for example, the steel transmits heat better than sludge). In general they show good operation properties in dry conditions (without lubrication). The stratified materials of synthetic resins show good properties of operation and low wearing down when they turn against tempered or hardened steel shafts. Its bad thermic conductivity forces to cool them or use them with low operation loads. Also they have tendency to absorb water and therefore to inflate increasing its volume, forcing to use a higher play in the design of the bearing. The polyamides are used as autolubricant bearings (they do not need additional lubrication). They show a high resistance to chemical attack. The necessity of heat evacuation and the increase of volume by water absorption must be considered. Teflon (polytetrafluorethylene) as component of compound bearings allows the operation without lubricant and provides a low friction.

The vulcanized soft rubber has provided good results when the bearing is submerged in a liquid (for boats propellers, pumps, hydraulic turbines). The precious stones used in special applications (for example: in clocks and mechanics of precision). They do not have properties of operation in case of emergency. The fine ceramic metals and steel bearings enamelled in small spindles of rectifiers, the hard metal has provided better results for bearings of ends (conical hard metal end against hard metal bearing with conical case). Good properties with high velocities. It can support pressures and high temperatures without stiffness. The coal and graphite are adequate for high temperatures (up to 600C) and in the cases where lubrication is not desired, because they are auto-lubricant. They show reduced wearing down, low coefficients of friction, high resistance to corrosion, sensible to end loads and they do not support dynamic loads.

2.2.3

I Compound materials

They are a combination of materials matching the most sever operation exigencies. The plastic coverings on metallic sockets give a high static load capacity. The thin layers of plastic material allow a better heat evacuation and diminish the effect of the swelling by water absorption. The plastic is selected to obtain very good qualities for sliding and operation in case of emergency. The metallic coverings on metallic socks of different materials are used to obtain to a good sliding of the bearing and a good behaviour against to high loads and high temperature. Hydrostatic bearings In the hydrostatic bearings the pressure of the lubrication fluid is generated outside the bearing by means of an auxiliary pump. The great advantage of the hydrostatic bearings resides in its high precision of operation and the good properties for damping dynamic loads, the absence of wearing down, the high rigidity, low friction of start-up (already oil pressure exists in the bearing before start-up) and the high load capacity. All these properties of the hydrostatic bearings are adequate for machine-tools (for ex. In the bearings of the small tool holder spindles). The great disadvantage radiates is the complicated and expensive installation, because an auxiliary lubrication system is needed (formed by a pump, a deposit and the corresponding pipes, valves and filters). Also in the machine-tools hydrostatic linear guides are used.

Fig. 06. Scheme of the oil supply in the hydrostatic bearing

Assembly of Bearings A fundamental previous requirement for a correct bearing operation in its daily use is the cleaning and the care to consider during its assembly. The casing and other components related to the bearing assembly will have to be cleaned and must be free of metal chips prior installation. The non-mechanized surfaces of the inner area of the cast-iron casing, must be free of dirt before being mounted. A best way to assembly the socks are to use a mandrel. An O-ring is used to fix easily the bearing. In case of big socks to use an assembly ring is recommended. The sock is aligned and cantered. The use of a paste solid lubricant that contains bisulphide of molybdenum (MoS2), the tendency to size-up can be diminished and the necessary force for the insertion of the socket is reduced. The sockets under very high loads during their operation will have to be mounted with the ends located to 90 relating to the load zone in order to avoid a reduced use life.

Mandrel Bearing Assembling ring Casing

Fig. 07. Assembling of a bearing with mandrel and mandrel + ring

Also the bearings can be fitted applying glue to the socket or the casing. The used adhesive can support the operating temperatures and matches the necessary requirements regarding to expansion, resistance and hardness. In case of no operative experience, it is recommended to contact directly with the manufacturer of the adhesive. When glues are used, it is necessary to ensure there is not direct contact with the sliding surface of the bearing. In addition, the surfaces of the shafts must be clean without metal chips prior assembly. When inserting the shaft in the bearing, is necessary to have take care that the sliding surface of the bearing is not damaged due to possible edges, metal chips, etc. When the thrust bearings are mounted, it is important they are correctly located along the surface, that is, its flat steel face is placed against the wall of the casing. Lubrication and maintenance Some types of bearings have good properties of sliding in dry and they do not need to be lubricated. Others need to be lubricated for right operation. The lubrication makes easy the heat evacuation of the bearing and the formation of a hydrodynamic load with a lubricant film that reduces the wearing down and extends the use. If grease is periodically applied due to sealing or protection reasons against the corrosion, the use life of the bearing will be extended. An only application of grease during the installation in the bearings can have a negative effect on the use life; the grease will be mixed with particles of wearing produced during the use operation, forming a paste that would increase the wearing down of the bearing. In order to lubricate, ant aging greases based on lithium are recommended, but for temperatures up to 80C silicone greases will be used. Do not use greases containing solid additive lubricants (for example: disulphuric of molybdenum). There greases as Klber Polylub GLY801 specially adapted for bearings due to their good adhesion or saponificated aluminium greases with high moisturizing power. It is not necessary to re-lubricate after the initial application, but the grease presence or continuous provision or lubricant will increase the use life considerably. In most of the cases to follow the instructions of the manufacturers is recommended, both in the frequency of the lubrication and in the type of used lubricants.

Self-evaluation
1 Please link elements of both columns, materials and condition of . bearings: 1. Polyamides 2. Vulcanizad soft rubber 3. Coal and graphite a. High temperatures b. Submerged c. Autolubricant

2 Please, name the parts of the bearing assembling in following figures: .

Self-evaluation

4 List those criteria considered when a radial bearing is selected: .

5 Please describe briefly advantages and disadvantages of hyadrostatic . bearings:

Solutions

1 . 2 .

1-c, 2-b, 3-a.

Mandrel Bearing Assembling ring Casing

3 . 4 .

a T, b F, c F, d T.

Forces to support, resistance, admissible deformation, oiling, conditions of operation.

5 .

The great advantage of the hydrostatic bearings resides in the high operation precision and the good properties for damping dynamic loads, the absence of wearing down, thigh rigidity, low friction of start-up and high load capacity. The disadvantages are the complexity of the installation as well as the expensive costs for that because it needs an auxiliary lubrication system.

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