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Lecture Notes On Bearings - PDF
Lecture Notes On Bearings - PDF
Lecture Notes On Bearings - PDF
2014/2015 Semester 3
In radial bearings, the load acts perpendicular to the direction of motion of the moving element. In thrust
bearings, the load acts along the axis of rotation.
In sliding contact bearings, the sliding takes place along the surfaces of the contact between the moving
element and the fixed element. The sliding contact bearings are also known as plain bearings. In rolling
contact bearings the steel balls or rollers, are interposed between the moving and fixed elements. The balls
offer rolling friction at two points for each ball or roller.
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Sliding contact bearings
Sliding contact bearings ae commonly used for low-modest speed applications.
These bearings have certain advantages over the rolling contact bearings.
They are:
7. They are ideally suited for medium and high speed operation provided that there is proper
hydrodynamic lubrication and cooling.
3. They are normally designed to carry radial load or axial load only.
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1.2 Thrust bearings or axial bearings
The thrust load is transferred through lubricant film between thrust collar on rotor and thrust collar on
housing.
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2.0 Bearing classification based on type of lubrication
The type of lubrication means the extent to which the contacting surfaces are separated in a shaft bearing
combination. This classification includes
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3.0 Bearing classification based on lubrication mechanism
3.1 Hydrodynamic lubricated bearings
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3.3 Elasto hydrodynamic lubricated bearings
Rolling contact bearings come under this category. The oil film thickness is very small. The contact
pressures are going to be very high. Hence to prevent the metal-to-metal contact, surface finishes are to be
of high quality. Such a type of lubrication can be seen in gears, rolling contact bearings, cams etc.
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Solid film lubricated bearings
For extreme temperature operations ordinary mineral oils are not satisfactory. Solid film lubricants such as
graphite, molybdenum disulfide or their combinations which withstand high operating temperature are
used. These types of bearings are common in furnace applications, or trunnion bearings of liquid metal
handling systems, hot drawing mills etc.
1.4 Silver
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1.1 Babbit metal
Tin base Babbit and lead base babbits are widely used as bearing materials. The babbits are recommended
where maximum pressure on projected area of the journal is not over 7-14 N/mm2. The babbit is generally
used as a thin layer of 0.05mm to 0.15mm thick bonded to an insert or steel shell.
Tin based babbits – Tin 90% , Copper 4.5%, Antimony 5%, Lead 0.5%
Lead based babbits – Lead 84%, Tin 6%, Antimony 9.5%, Copper 5%
The gun metal (Copper 88%, Tin 10%, Zinc 2%) is used for high grade bearings subjected to high pressures
(not more than 10N/mm2 on projected area of the journal) and high speeds.
The phosphor bronze (Copper 80%, Tin 10%, Lead 9%, phosphorus 1%) is used for bearings subjected to
high pressures (14N/mm2 on projected area of journal) and high speeds.
1.4 Silver
The silver and silver lead bearings are mostly used in aircraft engines where the fatigue strength is the
most important consideration.
2.2 Rubber
2.3 Wood
2.4 Plastic
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2.2 Rubber
The soft rubber bearings are used with water or other low viscosity lubricants, particularly where sand or
other large particles are present. Rubber bearings are excellent for absorbing shock loads and vibrations.
The rubber bearings are mainly used on marine propeller shafts, hydraulic turbines and pumps.
2.3 Wood
Wood bearings are used in many applications where low cost, cleanliness, inadequate lubrication, and anti-
seizing are important.
2.4 Plastic
The commonly used plastic materials for bearings are Nylon and Teflon. These materials have many
characteristics desirable in bearing materials. Nylon and Teflon can be used without a lubricant film. (Dry
bearings). The nylon is stronger, harder and more resistant to abrasive wear. It is used for applications such
as elevator bearings, side bearers in railway vehicles etc.
Teflon is rapidly replacing Nylon as a wear surface or liner for journal and other sliding bearings because of
the following properties.
It has lower coefficient of friction, about 0.04 (dry) as compared to 0.15 for Nylon.
It can be used at higher temperatures up to about 3150C as compared to 1200C for Nylon.
It is chemically inert.
Bearing material
Bearing Shell
Refer the following table to decide the length of the bearing and check whether the bearing
dimensions can bear the maximum bearing pressure.
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1.2 Decide lubricant for the bearing and find bearing modulus.
Calculate bearing modulus K (K = The critical value of ZN/p that gives minimum value for friction
coefficient)
In order to achieve more stable lubricant film thickness ZN/p is taken as 3 times the bearing
modulus.
I.e. ZN/p = 3K
ZN/p = 15K may be used if the bearing is subjected to large fluctuations of load and heavy impacts.
From the value of bearing modulus we can decide whether the bearing works under boundary
lubrication (Thin film lubrication) or Hydrodynamic lubrication (Thick film lubrication).
1.3 Determine the coefficient of friction (μ) of the journal bearing by using the
relation μ= 33/10(ZN/p)(d/c) +k
Where,
k = Factor to correct for end leakage. It depends upon the ratio of length to
Diameter of the bearing (k = 0.002 for all values of l/d between 0.7 to 2.8)
Value of d/c for various types of bearings can be taken from the table.
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1.4 Calculate the heat generated in the bearing
Heat is generated in a bearing due to fluid friction and friction of the parts having relative motion. Heat
generated in bearing (Qg )is given by
Qg = μ.W.V (watts)
Where,
μ = Coefficient of friction
Qd = C.A(tb-ta) (watts)
Where,
The value of C depends upon the type of bearing, its ventilation and the temperature difference. The
average values for C (in W/m2/0C) for journal bearings can be taken as follows.
It has been shown by experiments that the temperature of the bearing (tb) is approximately mid-way
between the temperature of the oil film (to) and the temperature of the outside air (ta).
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Note
For a well designed bearing, the temperature of the oil film should not be more than 600C,
otherwise the viscosity of oil decreases rapidly and the bearing loses its performance and life of the
bearing is reduced.
In case the temperature of the oil film is higher, then the bearing is cooled by circulating water
through the bearing.
The mass of the oil to remove the heat generated at the may be obtained by equating the heat
generated to the heat taken away by oil. Heat taken by the oil is given by
Where,
S = Specific heat of oil. Its value may be taken as 1840 to 2100 J/kg/0C
Example:
Design a journal bearing for a centrifugal pump from the following data.
Calculate also mass of the lubricating oil required for artificial cooling, if the rise of temperature of oil be
limited to 10 o C
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1. Dimensions
Since l/d = 1 to 2 from the table for centrifugal pumps let’s take l/d =1.6
= 160mm
= 20000/0.1x0.16
Since the allowable bearing pressure is greater than the actual bearing pressure the assumed dimensions
of the journal bearing are correct.
2. Bearing modulus
K = 9.33
= 12.24
Since this value is greater than critical value of ZN/p (K) , the bearing will operate under hydrodynamic
conditions.
μ = 33/108(ZN/p)(d/c) +k
= 33/108 (12.24) (1/0.0013) + 0.002
= 0.0051
Qg = μ.W.V
= μ.W.( ΠdN/60)
= 480.7 W
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5. Heat dissipated by the bearing
Qd = C.A(tb-ta)
= C.l.d (tb-ta)
= 389.3 W
Heat generated is greater than the heat dissipated. Therefore the bearing is warming up and artificial
cooling is required.
= 480.7-389.3
= 91.4 W
= M x 1900 x (10)
= 1900M
Amount of artificial cooling should be equal to the amount of heat taken away by oil
1900M = 91.4
M = 0.0048kg/s
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Bearing Classification
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Each rolling bearing is designed by a code that clearly indicates construction, dimensions, tolerances
and bearing clearance. Bearings codes comprising only the basic code without prefixes and suffixes
indicate normal bearings. Deviations from the normal construction are indicated by prefixes or
suffixes.
Basic code consisits of "Series Code". Series code contains number (i.e, 0,1,2.....) or combination of
letter(i.e, BK, HK, .....) & numbers. Following table illustrates first part of "Series Code", which
indicates the type of bearing.
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Taper roller bearing
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Thrust ball bearing
Mounting of bearings
Specialized experience is required for bearing installation. It needs to follow the bearing manufacturer’s
instructions as well as the requirements of the client and application environment.
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Rolling contact bearing sizes
It is interesting to note that for same bore diameter, load capacity of rolling bearings can be increased by
increasing diameter of rolling elements.
Following parameters are defined and they are used for rolling bearing selection for simplicity. The
parameters used for bearing selection are rating life, bearing load, basic load rating, and Equivalent radial
load.
Rating life
Rating life is defined as the life of a group of apparently identical ball or roller bearings, in number of
revolutions or hours, rotating at a given speed, so that 90% of the bearings will complete or exceed before
any indication of failure occur.
Suppose we consider 100 apparently identical bearings. All the 100 bearings are put onto a shaft rotating
at a given speed while it is also acted upon by a load. After some time, one after another, failure of
bearings will be observed. When in this process, the tenth bearing fails, then the number of revolutions or
hours lapsed is recorded. These recorded numbers of revolutions give the rating life of the bearings or
simply L10 life (10 % failure). Similarly, L50 means, 50 % of the bearings are operational. It is known as
median life.
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Bearing load
If two groups of identical bearings are tested under loads P1 and P2 for respective lives of L1 and L2, then,
Where,
L1/L2 = ( P2/P1)a
L: life in millions of revolution or life in hours
a: constant which is 3 for ball bearings and 10/3 for roller bearings
C = P(L)1/a
The value of C represents the load carrying capacity of the bearing for one million revolutions for a given
load and a given life.
This value of C, for the purpose of bearing selection, should be lower than that given in the manufacturer’s
catalogue. Normally the basic or the dynamic load rating as prescribed in the manufacturer’s catalogue is a
conservative value, therefore the chances of failure of bearing is very less.
Pe = XVPr
Pe = XVPr + YPa
Where,
V : Rotation factor (1.0, inner race rotating; 1.2, outer race rotating)
X : A radial factor
Y : An axial factor
The values of X and Y are found from the chart whose typical format and few representative values are
given below.
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Bearing selection procedure
Depending on the shaft diameter and magnitude of radial and axial load a suitable type of bearing is to be
chosen from the manufacturer’s catalogue, either a ball bearing or a roller bearing. The equivalent radial
load is to be determined from the equation Pe = XVPr + YPa
If it is a tapered bearing then manufacturer’s catalogue is to be consulted for the equation given for
equivalent radial load. The value of dynamic load rating C is calculated for the given bearing life and
equivalent radial load. From the known value of C, a suitable bearing of size that conforms to the shaft is to
be chosen. However, some augmentation in the shaft size may be required after a proper bearing is
chosen.
Ex:
A simply supported shaft, diameter 50mm, on bearing supports carries a load of 10kN at its center. The
axial load on the bearings is 3kN. The shaft speed is 1440 rpm. Select a bearing for 1000 hours of
operation.
Solution
The radial load Pr = 5 kN and axial load Pa = 3 kN. Hence, a single row deep groove ball bearing may be
chosen as radial load is predominant. This choice has wide scope, considering need, cost, future changes
etc.
Bearing life, in millions of revolution for the bearing L10 = 1440 x 60 x1000/106
= 86.4
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The equivalent radial load on the bearing is given by,
= 0.153
Pe = XVPr+ YPa
C = P(L)1/3
= 6.85(86.4)1/3
= 30.3 kN
Now, the table for single row deep groove ball bearing of series- 02 shows that for a 50mm inner
diameter, the value of C = 35.1 kN. Therefore, this bearing may be selected safely for the given
requirement without augmenting the shaft size. A possible bearing could be SKF 6210. (Please refer SKF
bearing catalog)
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