CHAPTER 15

Rolling Contact Bearings

Summary

LO 1. State the func:on of bearing and understand the types of rolling contact
bearings and the principle of self-aligning bearing

Bearing is a mechanical element that permits rela:ve mo:on between two parts, like the shaC
and the housing, with minimum fric:on. The bearing supports the shaC and holds it in correct
posi:on. The bearing takes up the forces that act on the shaC and transmits them to the
founda:on.

Depending upon the type of rolling element, the bearings are classified as ball bearing,
cylindrical roller bearing, taper roller bearing, and needle bearing. Depending upon the
direc:on of load, the bearings are also classified as radial bearing and thrust bearing.

In self-aligning bearing, the external surface of the bearing bush is made spherical and the bush
is free to roll in its seat and align itself with the journal. This principle is used in self-aligning ball
bearing and spherical roller bearing.

LO 2. List the guidelines for selec:on of bearing type

For low and medium radial loads, ball bearings are used, whereas for heavy loads, roller
bearings are selected. Self-aligning ball bearings and spherical roller bearings are used in
applica:ons where misalignment between the axes of shaC and housing exists. Deep groove
ball bearings, angular contact bearings, and spherical roller bearings are suitable in applica:ons
where the load ac:ng on the bearing consists of two components viz. radial and thrust. Taper
roller bearings are used where rigidity is the main considera:on.

LO 3. Explain the terms sta:c load capacity, dynamic load capacity, equivalent
bearing load, and specify Stribeck's and load life rela:onships

Sta:c load carrying capacity of a bearing is the sta:c load which corresponds to a total
permanent deforma:on of balls and races, at the most heavily stressed point of contact, equal
to 0.0001 of the ball diameter.

http://onlinecourses.flipick.com/CMContent/Library/Assests/Video/36486/index.html 29/11/18, 4F37 PM

Page 1 of 4
 Dynamic load carrying capacity of a bearing is the radial load in radial bearings (or thrust load in
thrust bearings) that can be carried for a minimum life of one million revolu:ons. The minimum
life in this defini:on is the L10 life, which 90% of the bearings will reach or exceed before fa:gue
failure.

Equivalent dynamic load is the constant radial load in radial bearings (or thrust load in thrust
bearings), which if applied to the bearing would give same life as that which the bearing will
aZain under actual condi:on of forces. The equivalent dynamic load is given by,

P = X V F r + Y Fa

Stribeck's rela:onship is given by,

k d2 z
Co = 5

The load-life rela:onship is given by,

p
L10 = ( C
P)

LO 4. Underline the guidelines for selec:on of bearing life and load factor

The life of bearing for automobile cars and trucks is 50 and 100 million revolu:ons; respec:vely.
In industrial applica:ons, the bearing life is taken as 12000 to 20000 h for machines used for
one shiC per day and 40000 to 60000 h for con:nuously operated machines.

Load factors are used in applica:ons involving gear, chain, and belt drives. The load factor is 1.2
to 1.4 for gear drives with electric motor, 2 to 3.5 for belt drive and 1.5 for chain drive.

LO 5. Know the basic procedure for selec:on of bearing and selec:on of taper roller
bearings from manufacturer's catalogue

Selec:on of bearing begins with the calcula:on of radial and axial forces ac:ng on the bearing.
From these forces, the equivalent dynamic load is calculated by,

P = X F r + Y Fa

Assuming suitable bearing life, the dynamic load capacity is calculated by,

C = P (L10)1/p

It is checked whether the bearing of selected series has the required dynamic capacity. If not,
the bearing of the next series is selected and the procedure is repeated. Ball bearings are thus,
selected by the trial and error procedure.

http://onlinecourses.flipick.com/CMContent/Library/Assests/Video/36486/index.html 29/11/18, 4F37 PM

Page 2 of 4
 In taper roller bearing, even if the external force ac:ng on the bearing is purely radial, it induces
a thrust reac:on within the bearing. The thrust component Fa created due to radial load Fr is
given by,

0.5 Fr
Fa = Y

In the preliminary stages, the value of Y is taken as 1.5. The equivalent dynamic load for single-
row taper roller bearings is given by,

P = Fr when (Fa / Fr) ≤ e

P = 0.4 Fr + Y Fa when (Fa / Fr) > e

ACer calcula:ng dynamic load, the procedure of bearing selec:on is same as that of other types
of bearings.

LO 6. Describe the method for selec:on of bearings for cyclic load, speeds, and for
a given reliability

When the bearing is subjected to cyclic loads and speeds, the equivalent dynamic load is
calculated by,

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
∑ N P3 ‾
√[ ∑ N ]
3
Pe =

The bearing life (L) for a given reliability (R) is calculated by,

1/b
loge ( R1 )
( L10 ) = [ log
)]
L
e( R
1
90

The dynamic load capacity of the bearing is based on L10 life calculated by above rela:onship.

LO 7. Discuss needle bearings, their advantages, and applica:ons

Needle bearings have cylindrical rollers of very small diameter and rela:vely long length. Many
:mes, needle bearings are used without the races. They are compact and lightweight compared
with other types of bearings. Needle bearings are used in applica:ons involving oscillatory
mo:on such as piston pin bearings, rocker arms, and universal joints.

LO 8. Iden:fy the causes of bearing failures alongwith the methods of lubrica:on

and moun:ngs of bearings

http://onlinecourses.flipick.com/CMContent/Library/Assests/Video/36486/index.html 29/11/18, 4F37 PM

Page 3 of 4
 There are four main causes of bearing failure viz. abrasive wear, corrosive wear, pimng, and
scoring.

There are two types of lubricants for rolling contact bearings viz. oil and grease. Oil is more
effec:ve in carrying fric:onal heat and feeds more easily into contact areas of the bearing under
load. The advantages of grease lubricated bearings are simple housing design, less maintenance
cost, beZer sealing against rust, and less possibility of leakage.

The basic principle of bearing moun:ng is to restrict the displacement of inner as well as outer
race in axial direc:on by posi:ve means. There are several methods to restrict the displacement
such as providing shoulders for the shaC or the housing and use of locknut, snap ring, or cover
plates.

http://onlinecourses.flipick.com/CMContent/Library/Assests/Video/36486/index.html 29/11/18, 4F37 PM

Page 4 of 4