Bearing Lubrication

and Application

Daniel R Snyder
Director Application Engineering
SKF Industrial Division
Kulpsville, PA

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 2 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Bearing lubrication

Basic tribological aspects

• Lubricant film build-up
• Hydrodynamic lubrication
• Elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication
• Starved lubrication

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 3 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
What is Tribology?

"The science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion

and of the practices related thereto."

Word invented 1966 by Peter Jost, British Department of Education

and Science

Greek τριβοσ = tribos = "to rub"

Keywords:
Friction
Lubrication
Wear

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 4 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Tribology research and SKF

Tribology research and Material research at SKF has been

the basis for:
• Current SKF surface topography specifications and machining practice
• ISO rating life equations
• SKF Life Theory
• SKF General Catalog graphs for viscosity, μ1, aSKF, γc, etc.
• SKF friction factors and reference speed and limiting speed ratings
• SKF surface treatment and coatings
• SKF cage geometries and materials
• Selection of greases for SKF sealed bearings

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 5 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Three major lubrication regimes:

Full film lubrication

• Complete separation of mating surfaces by
the lubricant film

Mixed lubrication
• Incomplete separation of the mating
surfaces by the lubricant film

Boundary lubrication
• Surfaces only separated by lubricant
molecules attached to the surfaces

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 6 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Three major lubrication modes for full-film
lubrication

Hydrostatic lubrication:
• Pressure & film build-up by external forces

Hydrodynamic lubrication:
• Pressure & film build-up internally by surface movements and rigid surface
geometry

Elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication:
• Pressure & film build-up by flexible surface geometry and surface movements

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 7 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Hydrodynamic lubrication

Traditional lubrication regime, occurring in

• plain bearings
• lightly loaded roller bearings
• cage / roller lubrication in roller bearings

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 8 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Hydrodynamic lubrication

Prof. Osborne Reynolds, 1883: Reynolds equation

v
u 2

w u
u 1

Rigid bearing surfaces moving with the velocities u1

and u2, and v and a small oil element moving with
velocity component u and w

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 9 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Reynolds' equation

If the lubricant density and viscosity are constant,

Reynolds' equation becomes:
∂ ⎛ 3 ∂p ⎞ ∂ ⎛ 3 ∂p ⎞ ∂h
⎜h ⎟ + ⎜h ⎟ = 6 η (u1 + u 2 ) + 12 ηv
∂x ⎝ ∂ x ⎠ ∂z ⎝ ∂z ⎠ ∂x
wedge buffer
Pressure & film build-up = +
effect effect

fluid is
squeezed
out

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 10 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Wedge effect & Buffer effect

HYDRODYNAMIC PRESSURE

fluid is
squeezed
out

Hydrodynamic pressure is generated by:

• the sliding velocity
• the design (beveled or rounded leading edge)
• adequate oil supply
• oil viscosity

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 11 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
 Lubricant motion

Metal

Relative motion
between the
different layers in
the lubricant film

Metal

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 12 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Effect of pressure on viscosity

To be able to lubricate rolling element bearings, the

lubricant has to increase its viscosity when it is
compressed by the bearing contact pressures.
Otherwise the oil is squeezed out from the high pressure
contacts and no oil film can be maintained.

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 13 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
 Effect of pressure on viscosity

The viscosity increase with pressure for lubricants

can be estimated using the equation derived by Barus:

η = η0 ⋅ e αp

Where: η0 = viscosity at zero pressure [Pa.s]

p = pressure [Pa]
α = pressure-viscosity coefficient (Pa-1)

For most lubricants: 10 < α < 40 [GPa -1]

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 14 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication (EHL)

Characterized by
• elastic deformation of surfaces
• large increase in lubricant pressure and viscosity

Fluid

pressure

curve

Under the high loads in the rolling contact

the oil can become 'solid' !

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 15 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
 The Reynolds Equation

v z
u 2 y

w u
x
u 1

∂ ⎛⎜ ρh 3 ∂p ⎞⎟ ∂ ⎛⎜ ρh 3 ∂p ⎞⎟ ∂ ( ρh )
+ = 6(u1 + u 2 ) + 12 ρv
⎜ ⎟ ⎜
∂x ⎝ η ∂x ⎠ ∂y ⎝ η ∂y ⎠ ⎟ ∂x
note: p = pressure, h = film thickness, u = velocity at both metal surfaces, v = velocity of metal
surfaces towards each other (determined by the load), γ = viscosity, θ = lubricant density

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 16 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Mathematical model

Reynolds Equation

Film Thickness Equation

Load Balance Equation

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 17 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Film thickness formulas point contact

0.68 −0.073
⎡ η0u ⎤ ⎛ F ⎞
hmin = 3.63R x (1 − e − 0.68 k
)⎢ ⎥ (αE ') ⎜
0.49 ⎜ ⎟
2 ⎟
⎣ E ' R x⎦ ⎝ E ' R x ⎠

Hamrock and Dowson

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 18 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
 Film thickness formulas line contact

0.75
⎡ ηou ⎤
hc = 2.48 R x ⎢αE ' ⎥ ( R x / a ) 0.25 Wolweridge
⎣ E ' R x⎦

0 .7 −0.13
0.54 ⎡ ηou ⎤ ⎛ F ⎞
hmin = 2.66 R x (αE ') ⎢ ⎥ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ E' R L ⎟
⎣ E ' R x⎦ ⎝ x ⎠
Dowson & Higginson

−d
• General Form h = KG U W a b

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 19 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Film Thickness Formulas from Curve-Fits

hmin
H = film thickness parameter =
R

U = velocity parameter = uη
E' R

G = material parameter = αE‫׳‬

W
W = load parameter =
E ‫׳‬R

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 20 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
EHL equations consequences

Film thickness is influenced:

•Very much by temperature due to large effect on oil viscosity

• Any temperature increase lowers the film thickness significantly

• Very much by speed

• e.g. double speed increases the film thickness with factor 1.6

• Only slightly lowered by load

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 21 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Oil film thickness
picture taken from ball on disk

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 22 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Film thickness: theory vs. practice
in fully flooded condition – starvation effect

on
(dimensionless film thickness)
-3
10 w s
Do
&
o ck
mr
-4 o Ha
10 g t
d i n
or experimental
H a cc

-5
10
reason: kinematic starvation

-6
10
-12 -11 -10 -9 -8
10 10 10 10 10
U (dimensionless speed parameter)

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 23 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Transient EHL at start-stop

• Time is needed before full film can form

• Transients imply acceleration

•risk for body skidding
•consequence: lower oil film thickness

• No surface speed: no EHL film according to

classical theory

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 24 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Kinematic starvation demo

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 25 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Oil selection: 3 step selection process

1. Select oil viscosity

2. Check Anti-Wear needs Basic oil

type

3. Select additional oil properties

Note: leads to selection of basic oil type and viscosity

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 26 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Importance of oil viscosity

Lubricant film thickness in the bearing depends on:

Bearing temperature

Speed of rotation

Load

Oil viscosity
is the main tool to adjust lubricant film thickness
2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 27 [Code]
SKF [Organisation]
Step 1 - Selecting oil viscosity

•Select required viscosity ν1 for oil

lubrication
•Convert ν1 to the required viscosity ν
at 40 °C
•Apply a safety factor (= kappa value)
of 0.3 - 4, depending on bearing
operating conditions and demands
(friction, bearing life etc.)

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 28 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Determining required viscosity - μ1

ISO VG -VI=95

GC6000
Pages
254-255

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 29 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Viscosity Classes according to ISO

Kinematic viscosity Kinematic viscosity

ISO viscosity mm2/s at 40 °C (105 °F) ISO viscosity mm2/s at 40 °C (105 °F)
class class
average min. max. average min. max.

ISO VG 2 2.2 1.98 2.42 ISO VG 68 68 61.2 74.8

ISO VG 3 3.2 2.88 3.52 ISO VG 100 100 90.0 110

ISO VG 5 4.6 4.14 5.06 ISO VG 150 150 135 165

ISO VG 7 6.8 6.12 7.48 ISO VG 220 220 198 242

ISO VG 10 10 9.00 11.0 ISO VG 320 320 288 352

ISO VG 15 15 13.5 16.5 ISO VG 460 460 414 506
ISO VG 22 22 19.8 24.2 ISO VG 680 680 612 748
ISO VG 32 32 28.8 35.2 ISO VG 1000 1000 900 1100
ISO VG 46 46 41.4 50.6 ISO VG 1500 1500 1350 1650

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 30 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Step 2 - Check Anti-Wear needs

EP/AW additives required

• at high loads (C/P < 5)

• if shock loads occur
• if frequent startup and shutdown occurs

Select EP/AW additives only when needed !

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 31 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Step 3 - Select additional oil properties

minimum operating
temperature
compatibility
viscosity index

oxidation resistance

resistance to
rust protection foaming
ability
maximum operating
temperature

Use oil technical specifications

(but use reliable sources)

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 32 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Oil selection advice, general

• Select oils from, and together with, well-known oil suppliers

• Use an oil with EP/AW additives only when needed. (step 2 of the
process)
• Only select a non-mineral oil if demands (pour point, oxidation
resistance, compatibility, VI, etc.) justify this.
(step 3 of selection process)
• Select oil viscosity based on ν1 calculation.
(step 1 of 3-steps oil selection process)
• Apply a safety factor (= kappa-value) of 0.3 - 4, depending on
bearing operating conditions and demands (friction, bearing life etc.)

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 33 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Bearing life and lubrication
Factor aSKF for radial roller bearings

50

aSKF for:radial roller bearings

aSKF

20

GC5000 – page 55
10

2
Kappa curves
4
κ=

2
1
0. 8

1
0. 6
0. 5

0.5
4
0.

0. 3

0.2
0. 2
Contamination level
0.15
0.1
0.1 c
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 Explorer

0.05
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5

ηc Pu/P

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 34 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Bearing life
adjustment – operating conditions

p
L 10m = a1 aSKF (C/P)

L10m = Adjusted Life in millions of revolutions

a1 = Adjustment for reliability ( a1 = 1.0 for 90%)
aSKF = Life modification factor for operating conditions
including lubrication, temperature and contamination

In accordance with ISO 281:2007

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 35 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
 Kappa calculation

h minimum film thickness

λ= =
σ root mean square composite surface
roughness

κ= * actual kinematic viscosity of lubricant

kinematic viscosity, ν1 , req’d to just achieve surface separation

* Must be at operating temperature

Note: ν1 is for κ equal to 1.0

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 36 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Contamination effect and bearing life

Contamination & Rolling Element Surface Fatigue

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 37 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Lubricant cleanliness classification
Number of particles per millilitre oil
Over Up to Scale
and incl. number

2 500 000 > 28

1 300 000
640 000
2 500 000
1 300 000
28
27
ISO 4406 code scale
320 000
160 000
640 000
320 000
26
25 and examples of
80 000 160 000 24 automatic and
40 000 80 000 23
20 000 40 000 22 microscope particle
10 000 20 000 21
5 000 10 000 20 counting (-/15/12)
2 500 5 000 19
1 300 2 500 18
640 1 300 17
320 640 16
160 320 15 Curve B = automatic p.c. (22/18/13)
Curve A = microscope p.c. (-/15/12)
80 160 14
40 80 13
20 40 12
10 20 11
5 10 10

2,5 5 9
1,3 2,5 8
0,64 1,3 7
0,32 0,64 6
0,16 0,32 5

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 38 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Contamination factor circulating oil

Diagram for the selection of the contamination factor

ISO 4406 code -/15/12 (Filter rating β12 = 200)

γc

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 39 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Contamination factor circulating oil

Diagram for the selection of the contamination factor γc ISO

4406 code -/17/14 (Filter rating β25 = 75)

γc

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 40 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
 Contamination factor grease lubrication

Diagram for selection of contamination factor γc :

Grease lubrication (high cleanliness)

γc

γc

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 41 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Table for selection of γc (SKF GC6000 pg. 62)
Guideline values for factor γc for different levels of contamination

Condition Factor γc 1)
for bearings with diameter
dm < 100 mm dm ≥ 100 mm
Extreme cleanliness 1 1
Particle size of the order of the lubricant film thickness
Laboratory conditions

High cleanliness 0,8 …0,6 0,9 … 0,8

Oil filtered through extremely fine filter
Conditions typical of bearings greased for life and sealed

Normal cleanliness 0,6 … 0,5 0,8 … 0,6

Oil filtered through fine filter
Conditions typical of bearings greased for life and shielded

Slight contamination 0,5 … 0,3 0,6 … 0,4

Slight contamination in lubricant

Typical contamination 0,3 … 0,1 0,4 … 0,2

Conditions typical of bearings without integral seals,
coarse filtering, wear particles and ingress from surroundings

Severe contamination 0,1 … 0 0,1 … 0

Bearing environment heavily contaminated and
bearing arrangement with inadequate sealing.

Very severe contamination 0 0

(under extreme contamination values of γc can be outside the scale resulting
in a more severe reduction of life than predicted by the equation for Lnm)

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 42 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Bearing life and lubrication
Factor aSKF for radial roller bearings

50

aSKF for:radial roller bearings

aSKF

20

GC5000 – page 55
10

2
Kappa curves
4
κ=

2
1
0. 8

1
0. 6
0. 5

0.5
4
0.

0. 3

0.2
0. 2
Contamination level
0.15
0.1
0.1 c
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 Explorer

0.05
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5

ηc Pu/P

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 43 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]
Bearing life
adjustment – operating conditions

p
L 10m = a1 aSKF (C/P)

L10m = Adjusted Life in millions of revolutions

a1 = Adjustment for reliability ( a1 = 1.0 for 90%)
aSKF = Life modification factor for operating conditions
including lubrication, temperature and contamination

In accordance with ISO 281:2007

2007-05-18 ©SKF Slide 44 [Code]

SKF [Organisation]