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MODULE 7
Sub Module 7.11
BEARINGS
BEARINGS1
TESTING1
CLEANING1
INSPECTIONOFBEARINGS2
LUBRICATION3
DEFECTSINBEARINGSANDTHEIRCAUSES9
BEARINGS
Due to their construction internal inspection of shielded bearings
When correctly installed and efficiently lubricated, bearings will be restricted. Taper bearings can be dismantled and a
require little but thorough, attention during service, to ensure a thorough inspection of the rolling elements and raceway
long working life. The majority of bearings used in aircraft surfaces can be completed.
engineering are of the sealed or shielded type. These bearing
are designed to prevent the ingress of foreign matter, which will
damage or contaminate the bearing contact surfaces. CLEANING
The rate of this wear depends on the speed the bearing is Dry the bearing by using clean warm and dry compressed air,
rotated at, with high speed bearings failing quicker than those again avoiding fast rotation of any rolling elements.
which rotate slowly or through distances of less than one
complete revolution. A bearing that has any indication of a fault Lightly lubricate all bearing surfaces with oil to prevent the onset
should be discarded immediately. of corrosion.
Once clean the bearing should be inspected for signs of failure, Excessive loading of a bearing is usually the same as normal
some of the more common being: fatigue, but the rolling elements wear path is usually heavier.
There is also increased evidence of overheating with a
Normal Fatigue widespread and deeper fatigue or spalled area. This often
Excessive Loading causes premature bearing failure. (Refer Fig. 1)
Installation and Misalignment
Loose Fitting or Spinning
Brinelling
Overheating and Lubrication Deficiency
Contamination and Corrosion
Spalled
Area
Normal fatigue
Lubricant composition Circulating lubrication may be used to carry away frictional heat
or heat transferred from the outside to prevent the bearing from
Typically lubricants contain 90% base oil (most often petroleum overheating and the oil from deteriorating.
fractions, called mineral oils) and less than 10% additives.
Vegetable oils, synthetic liquids such as hydrogenated esters, Others
silicones, fluorocarbons and many others are sometimes used
as base oils. Additives deliver reduced friction and wear, Adequate lubrication also helps to prevent foreign material from
increased viscosity, improved viscosity index, resistance to entering the bearings and guards against corrosion and rusting.
corrosion and oxidation, aging or contamination, etc. For low rotational speeds, or for oscillating functions such as
are found in a number of airframe applications grease is a
Adequate lubrication is essential for all types of rolling bearings. suitable lubricant; at higher rotational speeds grease would
The purposes of the lubricant are to lubricate the areas of generate excessive temperatures because of churning, and oil
rubbing contact, e.g. between the rolling elements and the cage, is more suitable. Because of the variety of uses to which rolling
to prevent premature failure. Lubrication will, bearings are put, and the varying requirements of different
locations, it is important that only those lubricants
recommended in the approved Maintenance Manual should be
used.
ISO9001:2008Certified For Training Purpose Only
PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7/03 Rev. 00
7.11 3 Mar 2014
PIATRAININGCENTRE(PTC) Module 7 MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Category A/B1 Sub Module 7.11 - Bearings
A typical bearing
Bearings fitted in engines and gearboxes are generally Wheel bearings are normally tapered roller bearings, and
lubricated by oil spray, splash, mist, drip feed, or controlled level should be re-packed with the correct grease when refitting the
oil bath, and loss of lubricant is prevented by the use of oil wheel. Ball and roller bearings, if properly lubricated and
retaining devices such as labyrinth seals, felt or rubber washers, installed, have a long life and require little attention. Bearing
and oil throwers. failures may have serious results, however, and aircraft
Maintenance Manuals and approved Maintenance Schedules
Most bearings used in airframe and External applications are include inspections and where applicable, lubrication
shielded or sealed to prevent the entry of dirt or fluids which
could adversely affect bearing life and are usually packed with instructions for all types of rolling bearings.
anti-freeze grease because of the low temperatures
encountered; these bearings cannot normally be re-greased,
and must be replaced if it is evident that the lubricant has been
washed out, or otherwise lost through failure of the seals or
bearing wear.
Ball Bearing
Grease nipples are provided for some open bearings so that the
grease may be replenished at specified intervals, or when
grease is lost through the use of solvents, paint strippers,
detergents or de-icing fluid. Nipples should be wiped clean
before applying the grease gun, to prevent the entry of dirt into
the bearing. Grease forced into the bearing will displace the old
grease, and any surplus exuding from the bearing should be
wiped off with a clean lint-free cloth.
ISO9001:2008Certified For Training Purpose Only
PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7/03 Rev. 00
7.11 5 Mar 2014
PIATRAININGCENTRE(PTC) Module 7 MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Category A/B1 Sub Module 7.11 - Bearings
Types of lubrication
Hydrodynamic (Film)
Boundary
Hydrostatic
Solid-film
Boundary lubrication; In this situation the oil film between the Hydrostatic lubrication is obtained by introducing the
mating parts are only a few molecules thick. Viscosity is not the lubricant, which is air into the load bearing area at a pressure
important factor; the important factor is Oiliness. This is the high enough to separate the surfaces with a relatively thick film
ability of oil to cling together (cohesiveness) and stick to the of lubricant.
surfaces (adhesiveness).
So unlike hydrodynamic lubrication, this kind of lubrication does
not require motion of one surface relative to another.
In general, if rolling bearings are used correctly, they will survive Damage condition
to their predicted fatigue life. Bearings, however, often fail
prematurely due to avoidable mistakes. The causes of, this Dull or cloudy spots appear on surface along with light wear.
premature failure include improper mounting, mishandling, poor From such dull spots, tiny cracks are generated downward to a
lubrication, entry of foreign matter or abnormal heat generation. depth of 5-10 m. Small particles fall off and minor flaking
For example, one cause of premature failure is rib scoring which occurs widely.
is due to insufficient lubrication, use of improper lubricant, faulty Causes
lubrication system, entry of foreign matter, bearing mounting
error, excessive deflection of the shaft or some combination of Unsuitable lubricant
these. Examples of bearing damage and their causes are
Entry of debris into lubrication
presented in the following sections. Please consult these
sections when trying to determine the cause of bearing damage. Rough surface due to poor lubrication
Damage condition
Scoring
Flaking occurs when small pieces of bearing material are split
off from the smooth surface of the raceway or rolling elements Damage condition
due to rolling fatigue, thereby creating regions having rough and
coarse texture. Scoring is surface damage due to accumulated small seizures
caused by sliding under improper lubrication or severe
Causes operating conditions. Linear damage appears circumferentially
on the raceway and roller surfaces. Cyclical shaped damage on
Excessive load; Poor mounting (misalignment); Moment load; the roller ends and scoring on the rib surface contacting roller
Entry of foreign debris, water penetration; Poor lubrication, ends also occur.
improper lubricant; Unsuitable bearing clearance; Improper
precision for shaft or housing, unevenness in housing rigidity,
large shaft bending; Progression from rust, corrosion pits,
smearing, dents (brinelling).
Causes Fracture
Particles are caught in the surface Fracture refers to small pieces, which were broken off due to
excessive load or shock load acting locally on a roller corner or
Inclination of inner and outer rings rib of a raceway ring.
Deformation of side face When debris such as small metallic particles is caught in the
rolling contact zone, denting occurs on the raceway surface or
Wear of pocket surface rolling element surface. Denting can occur at the rolling element
pitch interval if there is a shock during the mounting (brinell
Wear of guide surface dents).
Causes Causes
Entry of debris
Debris such as metallic particles are caught in the
surface Progression from rust and electrical arcing
Shock during transport or mounting Sliding due to irregular motion of rolling elements
Fretting
Pitting
Damage condition
Damage condition
Wear occurs due to repeated sliding between the two surfaces.
Pitting has a dull luster and appears on the rolling element Fretting occurs at fitting surface and also at contact area
surface or raceway surface. between raceway ring and rolling elements.
Damage condition
Among the different types of fretting, false brinelling is the Insufficient sleeve tightening
occurrence of hollow spots that resemble brinell dents and are
due to wear caused by vibration and swaying at the contact
points between the rolling elements and raceway. Seizure
Oscillation and vibration of a stationary bearing during When sudden overheating occurs during rotation, the bearing
such times as transporting becomes discolored. Then, the raceway rings, rolling elements,
and cage will soften, melt and deform
Oscillating motion with a small amplitude as damage accumulates.
Creep is the phenomenon in bearings where relative slippage Excessive rotational speed
occurs between fitting surfaces and thereby creates a clearance
between them surface. Creep causes a shiny appearance, Excessively small internal clearance
occasionally with scoring or wear.
Entry of water and debris