Lnm = a1 aSKF L10 =a1 aSKF (C/P)p if the speed is constant, the life can be expressed in operating hours,

using the equation Lnmh = a1 aSKF 106/(60n) L10 where Ln = SKF rating life (at 100-n1)% reliability) [millions of revolutions]
m

Ln = SKF rating life (at 100-n1)% reliability) [operating hours]

mh

L10 = basic rating life (at 90% reliability) [millions of revolutions] a1 = life adjustment factor for reliability (table 1)
Life adjustment factor a1 Reliability Failure probability n % % 90 10 95 5 96 4 97 3 98 2 99 1 SKF rating life Lnm L10m L5m L4m L3m L2m L1m Life adjustment factor a1 1 0,62 0,53 0,44 0,33 0,21

aSKF = SKF life modification factor, (diagrams 1, 2, 3 and 4)

C P n p

= basic dynamic load rating [kN] = equivalent dynamic bearing load [kN] = rotational speed [r/min] = exponent of the life equation 3 for ball bearings 10/3 for roller bearings

1)

The factor n represents the failure probability, i.e. the difference between the requisite reliability and 100% In some cases it is preferable to express bearing life in units other than millions of revolutions or hours. For example, bearing life for axle bearings used in road and rail vehicles is commonly expressed in terms of kilometres travelled. To facilitate the calculation of bearing life into different units, table 2 provides the conversion factors commonly used.

Table 2: Units conversion factors for bearing life

The complete oscillation = 4 i.e. from point 0 to point 4 Basic units Conversion factor Millions of Operating Million kilometres Millions of revolutions hours travelled oscillation cycles1) 1 million revolutions 1 106/(60 n) D/103 180/(2 ) 1 operating hour 60 n/106 1 60 n D/109 180x60 n/(2 106) 1 million kilometres 103/( D) 109/(60 n D) 1 180x103/(2 D) 1 million oscillation cycles1) 2 /180 2 106/(180x60 n) 2 D/(180x103) 1 D = vehicle wheel diameter, m n = rotational speed, r/min = oscillation amplitude (angle of max. deviation from centre position), degrees 1) Not valid for small amplitudes ( < 10)