Bearing Smearing and Its Causes

Bearing SMEARING and its Causes.
Smearing
When two inadequately lubricated surfaces slide against each other under load,
material is transferred from one surface to the other. This is known as smearing
and the surfaces concerned become scored, with a "torn" appearance. When
smearing occurs, the material is generally heated to such temperatures that
rehardening takes place. This produces localised stress concentrations that may
cause cracking or flaking.
In rolling bearings, sliding primarily occurs at the roller end-guide flange
interfaces. Smearing may also arise when the rollers are subjected to severe
acceleration on their entry into the load zone. If the bearing rings rotate relative to
the shaft or housing, this may also cause smearing in the bore and on the
outside surface and ring faces. In thrust ball bearings, smearing may occur if the
load is too light in relation to the speed of rotation.
Smearing of roller ends and guide flanges
In cylindrical and taper roller bearings, and in spherical roller bearings with guide
flanges, smearing may occur on the guiding faces of the flanges and the ends of
the rollers. This smearing is attributable to insufficient lubricant between flanges
and rollers. It occurs when a heavy axial load acts in one direction over a long
period, for instance when taper roller bearings are subject to excessive
preloading. In cases where the axial load changes direction, smearing is much
less common as the opportunity is provided for the ingress of lubricant when the
roller end is temporarily relieved of load. Such smearing can be avoided to a
considerable extent by selecting a suitable lubricant.
Appearance Scored and discoloured roller ends and flange faces.

Cause Sliding under heavy axial loading and with inadequate lubrication.
Action More suitable lubricant.
Figure 1 - Smearing on Figure 2 - A cylindrical Figure 3 - Guide flange

the surface of a roller from roller with end smearing smearing attributable to
a spherical roller bearing - caused by heavy axial the same causes as the
100 x magnification. loading and improper smearing in figure 2.
lubrication.
Smearing of rollers and raceways
In certain circumstances, smearing may occur on the surface of rollers and in

raceways of spherical and cylidrical roller bearings. This is caused by roller
rotation being retarded in the unloaded zone, where the rollers are not driven by
the rings. Consequently their speed of rotation is lower than when they are in the
loaded zone. The rollers are therefore subjected to rapid acceleration and the
resultant sliding is so severe that it may produce smearing.
Scored and discoloured areas at the start of the load zone in

Appearance
raceways and on the surface of the rollers
Cause Roller acceleration on entry into the loaded zone.
More suitable lubricant.
Action
Reduce bearing internal clearance.
Figure 4 - Skid smearing in both raceways of a spherical roller bearing outer ring.
Raceway smearing at intervals corresponding to the roller spacing.

Far too often, when cylindrical roller bearings are
being mounted, the ring with the roller and cage
assembly is entered askew, without being rotated.
The rollers then scratch the raceway of the other
ring, causing smearing in the form of long,
transverse streaks. The rollers may be smeared
too. This type of damage can be avoided if the
bearing is well lubricated and one of the rings is
rotated. When large numbers of bearings are to be
mounted it is expedient to employ a mounting ring,
see fig 5. Similar damage may arise if the bearing
rings are mounted with fits that are too tight in
relation to the internal clearance, so that
preloading occurs.
Smear streaks may also be found in the raceways
of spherical and taper roller bearings. These
streaks are the result of careless handling or
incorrect mounting practice. Blows or heavy
pressure applied to the wrong ring, without rotating
the bearing, cause the rollers to produce narrow,
transverse streaks of smearing in the raceways,
see fig 7.
Transverse smear streaks - spaced at intervals equal to the

distance between the rollers - in the raceways of cylindrical roller
bearings.
Appearance
Transverse smear streaks - spaced at intervals equal to the
distance between the rollers - in the raceways of spherical and
taper roller bearings.
During the mounting operation, the ring with the roller and cage
assembly has been entered askew on the other ring.
Cause
Blows applied to the wrong ring or heavy preloading without
rotating the bearing.
Secure the bearing during transport by radial preloading. Provide
a vibration-damping base. Where possible, use ball bearings
Action
instead of roller bearings. Employ oil bath lubrication, where
possible.
Figure 6 - A cylindrical roller bearing with smear streaks in the inner ring raceway
and on the rollers. The smearing has been caused by the roller assembly being
entered askew without being rotated.
Figure 7 - Outer ring raceway of a spherical roller Figure 8 - One of the smear
bearing with smear streaks caused by a blow streaks shown in fig 7 – 50 x
against the inner ring. magnification
Smearing of external surfaces.
Smearing may occur on the external surfaces of heavily loaded bearings. Here,
the smearing is the result of movement of the bearing ring relative to its shaft or
housing. Smearing of the inner ring bore, outer ring outside surface and ring
faces can only be avoided if the fits are tight enough to prevent movement of the
ring concerned in relation to its seating. Increasing the axial compression does
not result in any improvement.
Appearance Scored and discoloured ring bore or outside surface or faces.

Cause Ring rotation relative to shaft or housing.
Action Select heavier interference fits.
Figure 9 – Smeared face of a cylindrical Figure 10 – Smeared outside surface of
roller bearing inner ring. a spherical roller bearing outer ring.
Material transfer has occurred from the
housing bore to bearing ring.
Smearing in thrust ball bearings.
Smearing may occur in the raceways of thrust ball bearings if the rotational
speed is too high in relation to the loading. The centrifugal force then impels the
balls to the outer part of the shallow raceways. There the balls do not roll
satisfactorily and a great deal of sliding occurs at the ball-to-raceway contacts.
This leads to the formation of diagonal smear streaks in the outer part of the
raceway. In the case of thrust ball bearings operating under light loads and at
high speeds, such damage can be prevented by subjecting the bearings to extra
loading, for instance by applying springs, see fig 12.
Appearance Loading too light in relation to speed of rotation.

Cause Diagonal smear streaks in the raceways.
Action Preload the bearing by using springs.
Figure 11 – Thrust ball bearing raceway with Figure 12 – Preloading thrust ball
smear streaks on account of the rotational bearing by means of springs.
speed having been too high in relation to the
load.

Bearing Smearing and Its Causes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bearing Smearing and Its Causes

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bearing Smearing and Its Causes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bearing SMEARING and its Causes.

Smearing of roller ends and guide flanges

Appearance Scored and discoloured roller ends and flange faces.

Figure 1 - Smearing on Figure 2 - A cylindrical Figure 3 - Guide flange

Smearing of rollers and raceways

In certain circumstances, smearing may occur on the surface of rollers and in

Scored and discoloured areas at the start of the load zone in

Raceway smearing at intervals corresponding to the roller spacing.

Transverse smear streaks - spaced at intervals equal to the

Smearing of external surfaces.

Appearance Scored and discoloured ring bore or outside surface or faces.

Smearing in thrust ball bearings.

Appearance Loading too light in relation to speed of rotation.

You might also like