SKF Bearing Selection Process

and Pump Example

https://www.skf.com/group/products/bearings-units-housings/principles/bearing-selection-process/index.html
https://www.skf.com/group/products/bearings-units-housings/principles/bearing-selection-examples/centrifugal-pump/index.html
SKF Bearing Selection
Process (in general)
 Content overview: Bearing selection steps

1. Operating conditions

2. Bearing type and arrangement

3. Bearing size for ACBB

4. Lubrication

5. Operating temperature and speed

6. Bearing interfaces

7. Bearing execution

8. Sealing, mounting and dismounting

© SKF Group
 Step 1: Operating conditions
The first step in the bearing selection process is to understand and document the
required performance, i.e. the operating conditions and/or assumptions of them and any
other application pre-requisites. An application can set various requirements on the
bearing solution, like:
• bearing life
• Operating conditions • speed and acceleration capability
• precision of the radial and axial position of the shaft
• temperatures or temperature gradients
• Conclusion • noise and vibration levels.
The most important operating parameters are:
• load
• speed
• temperature
• lubricant and lubricant cleanliness
Usually these can be determined from physical and mechanical analysis of the application,
or from experience with similar applications. Care for proper documentation!
Operating conditions typically vary over time (e.g. variable speed, sasonal temperature
changes, changing output power) and the range of the variation is usually important.

© SKF Group
 Step 1: Operating conditions

• Operating conditions

• Conclusion

Fig. 1 – “Fishbone diagram”

© SKF Group
 Step 1: Operating conditions

In order to optimize a design, you may need to loop through various steps of the
bearing selection process. To minimize these, review and prioritize any application
prerequisites, such as:
• available radial or axial space
• shaft diameters defined by shaft strength requirements
• Operating conditions
• lubricant choice determined by other components in the application

• Conclusion Fig. 1 shows a so called “fishbone diagram” which illustrates the relationship between
principal operating conditions, application requirements and various aspects of a
bearing system design. The lists are not comprehensive and you may have to consider
other factors and interrelationships, such as cost and availability.

© SKF Group
 Step 2: Bearing type and arrangement
Each bearing type has characteristic properties that make it more or less
suitable for use in a given application. The next pages contain guidelines
on choosing bearing types to satisfy specific demands, such as
accommodating available space, loads, misalignment, speeds, and more.

• Load carrying capability

• Misalignment
• Arrangement
• Suitable for…
• Design features

© SKF Group
 Step 2: Bearing type and arrangement
.

© SKF Group
 Step 3: Bearing size
The size of a bearing must be sufficient to ensure that it is strong enough
to deliver the required/expected life under defined operating conditions.
A bearing can be viewed as a system of components: raceways, rolling
elements, cage, seals (if present) and lubricant (fig. 1). The performance
of each component contributes to or determines the performance and life
• Basic Rating Life of the bearing (diagram 1).

fig. 1
• SKF Rating Life
1. Lubrication
2. Contamination
3. SKF life modification factor a

• Minimum load

• Conclusion
© SKF Group
 Step 3: Bearing size
diagram 1

• Basic Rating Life

• SKF Rating Life

• rolling contact fatigue (RCF) on the rolling elements and raceways –
1. Lubrication this is the primary aspect that dictates bearing life in most applications
2. Contamination • permanent deformation of rolling elements and raceways because of
heavy loads acting on the bearing, while it is stationary or oscillating
3. SKF life modification factor a
slowly, or high peak loads acting on the bearing while it is rotating
• cage type or cage material – these may limit the operating speed or
the permissible acceleration or temperature1)
• Minimum load • speed limit of contacting seal lips – this can determine the maximum
allowable speed, which affects operating temperature, thereby
affecting life
• lubricant life – when the lubricant deteriorates, the resulting poor
• Conclusion relubrication condition quickly reduces bearing life

© SKF Group
 Step 3: Bearing size for ACBB
 Size selection based on rating life: This is based on the required
bearing life, taking into account the possible effects of rolling contact
fatigue, and requires calculation of the basic rating life L 10, or SKF
rating life L10m, for the bearing.
• Basic Rating Life • Size selection based on static load: This is based on the static load
that the bearing can accommodate, taking into account the possible
effects of permanent deformation, and requires calculation of the static
• SKF Rating Life safety factor s0 for the bearing.
1. Lubrication
2. Contamination
3. SKF life modification factor a

• Minimum load

• Conclusion
© SKF Group
 Step 4: Lubrication
Rolling bearings must be adequately lubricated to operate reliably. The lubricant is
required to reduce friction, inhibit wear, protect against corrosion and may also be
needed to provide cooling.

The first step in the lubrication selection process is to decide whether to use grease or
• How to select between oil.
grease and oil • Grease: the assortment and properties of SKF greases provides an adequate choice
• How to select a suitable for most application requirements.

grease • Oil: When you select a lubricating oil, the most important parameters are the
• How to select a suitable oil viscosity and viscosity index, the thermal stability (which influences the choice of oil
type) and the additive package (EP/AW and corrosion protection) .

Lubrication type selection and lubricant properties greatly influence the operating
temperature, which in turn influences:
• whether you should use grease or oil
• the relubrication interval required for grease
• whether oil lubrication is necessary, eg to remove heat 
• the lubrication condition – the viscosity ratio, κ, which influences the bearing size
selection based on SKF rating life

© SKF Group
 Step 4: Lubrication

• How to select between

grease and oil
• How to select a suitable
grease
• How to select a suitable oil

© SKF Group
 Step 5: Operating temperature and speed
Temperature has a major influence on many performance characteristics of an
application. The heat flow to, from and within an application determines the
temperature of its parts

The operating temperature results from

• Bearing operating • the heat generated by the bearing (due to bearing and seal frictional power loss)
• the heat from the application transferred to the bearing via the shaft,
temperature and heat flow • housing, foundation and other elements in its surroundings
• Bearing size, operating • the heat dissipated from the bearing via the shaft, housing, foundation,
• lubricant cooling system (if used) and other cooling devices
temperature and
lubrication conditions

© SKF Group
 Step 5: Operating temperature and speed
For a given bearing type, the bearing size, operating temperature and
lubrication conditions are interdependent as follows:

• Bearing operating
temperature and heat flow
• Bearing size, operating
temperature and
lubrication conditions

© SKF Group
 Step 6: Bearing interfaces
Bearing seats on shafts and in housings, and components which locate a bearing
axially, have a significant impact on bearing performance.

To fully exploit the load carrying ability of a bearing, its rings or washers should be
fully supported around their complete circumference and across the entire width of
• Designing bearing the raceway.
interfaces
Bearing seats should be manufactured to adequate geometrical and dimensional
• Tolerance system tolerances and be uninterrupted by grooves, holes or other features.

On skf.com you will find

• criteria for selecting bearing fits
• recommended fits for standard conditions
• tables to help determine minimum, maximum and probable values of clearance or
interference between the bearing and its seat
• recommendations for specifying geometrical tolerances of bearing seats
• recommendations for the axial support of bearing rings
• further design considerations for bearing interfaces

© SKF Group
 Step 6: Bearing interfaces

• Designing bearing
interfaces
• Tolerance system

© SKF Group
 Step 7: Bearing execution, Additional factors

As part of the bearing selection process, when the bearing type, size, and
fit have been determined, additional factors must be considered to enable
you to further define the final variant of the bearing.

In this section you can find recommendations and requirements for

• additional factors selecting:

• the bearing internal clearance or preload

• the bearing tolerances
• the appropriate cage (where applicable)
• integral seals (where applicable)
• additional options, such as coatings and other features to meet any
special needs/requirements

© SKF Group
 Step 8: Sealing, mounting and dismounting
• External sealing
• Mounting, dismounting,
inspection and monitoring
© SKF Group
External sealing – how to select appropriate seals for rolling bearing
applications and the different types of seal available
Many factors must be considered when selecting the most suitable seal for
a particular bearing-shaft-housing system. These include: the lubricant
type: oil or grease
• the contaminant type: particles or fluid or both
• the circumferential speed at the seal lip
• the shaft arrangement: horizontal or vertical
• possible shaft misalignment or deflection
• run-out and concentricity
• available space
• seal friction and the resulting temperature increase
• environmental influences
• cost
• required operating time
• maintenance requirements
 Step 8: Sealing, mounting and dismounting
• External sealing
• Mounting, dismounting,
inspection and monitoring
© SKF Group
Rolling bearings are reliable machine elements that can provide long
service life, if they are mounted properly. Proper mounting requires
experience, accuracy, a clean work environment, correct working methods
and the appropriate tools.
Bearings that are not operating properly usually exhibit identifiable
symptoms. The best way to identify these symptoms, and take corrective
action at an early stage, is to establish a plant-wide condition monitoring
programme.
SKF Bearing Selection Process – Example

Centrifugal pump with ACBB duplex set

ACBB
Duplex Set

https://www.skf.com/group/products/bearings-units-housings/principles/bearing-selection-process/index.html
https://www.skf.com/group/products/bearings-units-housings/principles/bearing-selection-examples/centrifugal-pump/index.html
 Step 1: Operating conditions for centrifugal pump
This example demonstrates the SKF bearing selection process
applied to a standard centrifugal pump.

Some key operating conditions of the pump application are:

• rotational speed: n = 3000r/min
• Operating conditions • lubrication method: oil bath
• oil viscosity grade: ISO VG 68

The bearing arrangement for the locating side is a

• Conclusion pair of universally matchable single row ACBBs,
ACBB
Duplex Set
i.e. 7312 BECBP in back-to-back arrangement
Given bearing loads and temperatures are
• max. radial load: Fr = 1,45kN
• max. axial load: Fa = 11,5 kN
• operating temperature: T = 85°C (185°F)

Following the pump industry standard ISO 13709 / API 610,

the basic rating life L10h should be at least 16 000 hours at
maximum load conditions. 
© SKF Group
 Step 2: Bearing type and arrangement
Universally matchable SRACBB in duplex arrangement

• Ball bearings with a 40°contact angle are well suited to

accommodate high axial loads and medium to high speeds.
• The bearings are arranged in a back-to-back pair, with the
• Load carrying capability inner rings mounted with an interference fit and possibly fixed
with a lock nut to the shaft.
• Misalignment
• Because the clearance is controlled by clamping the inner
• Arrangement rings, the outer rings can be positioned in the housing
between a shoulder and a cover without the need for precise
• Design features clamping.

Both housing seats are machined such that misalignment is less

than 2 minutes of arc, which is within the acceptable
misalignment limits for the ACBB pair and the cylindrical roller
bearing. 

Conclusion
The current selection of bearing type and arrangement is
adequate for this application. 
© SKF Group
 
.                                        
Step 3: Bearing size
   Basic ISO rating life
               

From table Loads in GC 17000, the load carrying capacity of bearing pairs in back-
• Basic Rating Life to-back arrangement is : 

C = 1,62 Csingle bearing  = 1,62 x 104 = 168,5 kN

• SKF Rating Life    
1. Lubrication As the load ratio Fa / Fr  = 11,5/1,45 > 1,14 
2. Contamination
3. SKF life modification factor a it follows

P = 0,57 Fr + 0,93 Fa = (0,57 x 1,45) + (0,93 x 11,5) = 11,52 kN 

• Minimum load C/P = 168,5 / 11,52 = 14,6 

• Conclusion
© SKF Group
 
.                                        
Step 3: Bearing size
SKF rating life
   

• Basic Rating Life 1. Lubrication condition – the viscosity ratio, κ 

κ = ν/ν1 
• SKF Rating Life
Given:
1. Lubrication • oil viscosity grade = ISO VG 68 
2. Contamination • operating temperature = 85 °C (185 °F)
3. SKF life modification factor a  then, using diagram 1, ν = 13 mm2/s 

Given
• n = 3 000 r/min
• Minimum load • dm = 0,5 (60 + 130) = 95 mm
 then, using diagram 2, ν1 = 7 mm2/s 

• Conclusion Therefore, κ = 13/7 = 1,8 

© SKF Group
 
.                                        
Step 3: Bearing size
2.  Contamination factor, ηc 
   
Given:
• contamination conditions are typical
(i.e. open bearings, no filtering, wear particles and dirt ingress from surrounding) 
• Basic Rating Life
• dm = 95 mm

 then, using table 1, ηc = 0,2 

• SKF Rating Life
1. Lubrication Given:
2. Contamination • Pu = 2 x 3,2 = 6,4 kN 
3. SKF life modification factor a • P = 11,52 kN (from above)  

 then
ηc Pu/P = 0,2 x 6,4/11,52 = 0,11  
• Minimum load

• Conclusion
© SKF Group
 
.                                        
Step 3: Bearing size
3. Life modification factor, aSKF 
   
Given (from above):
κ = 1,8 
ηc Pu/P = 0,11  
• Basic Rating Life
7312 BECBP are SKF Explorer bearings  

• SKF Rating Life  thus, using diagram 4, aSKF = 5  

1. Lubrication
2. Contamination Given (from above):
3. SKF life modification factor a L10h = 17 400  h

 thus L10mh = 5 x 17 400 = 87 000 h 

• Minimum load
Conclusion:
The pair of 7312 BECBP SKF Explorer bearings are of a suitable size.

• Conclusion
© SKF Group
 Step 5: Operating temperature and speed
Bearing operating temperature and heat flow

Determine whether a detailed thermal analysis is required or not

(→ Thermal equilibrium) by checking if
• Bearing operating • the rotational speed is less than 50% of the bearing limiting speed:
temperature and heat flow - this is true for the non-locating support.
• Bearing size, operating - for the locating support, it is 56 %, which is just slightly above the limit .
temperature and
• the load ratio C/P > 10:
lubrication conditions
- this is true for the locating and non-locating supports.

• there is no special major external heat input.

 Conclusion: no further thermal analysis is needed

. 

© SKF Group
 Step 6: Bearing interfaces
Shaft tolerances  

You can find shaft tolerances for seats for radial ball bearings in table 3 and for
radial roller bearings in table 4 (from Seat tolerances for standard conditions ). 

• Designing bearing 7312 BECBP k5Ⓔ IT4/2 IT4 0,8 µm

interfaces
• Tolerance system
Housing tolerances
Bearing Dimensional  Total radial  Total axial  Ra
tolerance run-out run-out
tolerance tolerance

NU 311 ECP  K7Ⓔ IT6/2 IT6 3,2 µm

7312 BECBP K7Ⓔ IT6/2 IT6 3,2 µm

© SKF Group
 Step 6: Bearing interfaces
Axial location (axial clamping) of the bearing set

• The current design has adequate axial location.

• Make sure that the lock nut that locates the inner rings of the angular contact ball
• Designing bearing bearings is sufficiently tightened.
interfaces
• Apply the clamp force uniformly around the circumference and respect the abutment
• Tolerance system dimensions (→ product details).
• To avoid distortion of the inner rings and to achieve the desired axial clearance in the
bearing pair, limit the clamping force.
• For ACBBs in centrifugal pumps, a clamping force of C0/4 (19 kN) is recommended. 

© SKF Group
 Step 7: Bearing execution: Clearance
Checking the initial internal clearance

The current design uses bearings with normal initial clearance (“CN”).
The fits for the inner and outer rings, and a temperature difference between
inner and outer rings of 10 °C (20 °F), reduce the internal clearance. Other
• additional factors: influences on the internal clearance are negligible. 
Clearance
1. Initial clearance (unmounted):

The initial clearance for a duplex pair of 7312 BECBP acc to the data in
catalogue is 22 / 27/ 32 μm (min./avg./max.)

2. Clearance reduction caused by interference fits 

Use:

Δr fit = Δ1 f1 + Δ2 f2 

© SKF Group
 Step 7: Bearing execution: Clearance
 
3. Clearance reduction caused by temperature difference 

Use:   

Δrtemp = ΔT dm x 12 x 10-6

• additional factors

   Pair of
7312 BECBP

dm  95mm

Δrtemp   -11 μm

© SKF Group
 Step 7: Bearing execution, Clearance

4. Operating clearance 

  NU 311 ECP Pair of 7312 BECBP

• additional factors min./avg./max -13 / 30 / 55 μm   -27 / 4 / 16 μm 

5. Conclusion / Judgement:

Pairs of ACBB should have an average operating clearance close to zero (ranging
between small clearance and light preload), particularly for predominantly axial
load. A small range is required to
• limit preload – to limit friction to avoid higher temperatues, reduced viscosity
and reduced bearing life
• limit clearance – to avoid ball skidding

A preload of -27µm seems too high. Thus some more calculation with advanced
SKF analysis tools was done which include effects of surface smoothing, elastic
deformation, etc., and then an acceptable range of -10 / 11 / 24 μm was found.
© SKF Group
 Step 7: Bearing execution, Cage selection
Cage selection

Given
• the estimated operating temperature of 85°C
(i.e. the higher temperature of the two bearing supports),
• Additinoal factors:
• a speed of well below the limiting speed
Cage selection • and considering availability and price,

then standard ball guided polyamide (“P”) cages are usually an adequate
solution, i.e. bearing execution 7312 BECBP.

As an alternative, a 7312 BECBM with machined brass cage could be used. 

© SKF Group
Thank you