Experimental investigations for tribo-dynamic behaviours of conventional and textured races ball bearings using fresh and MoS2 blended greases

• Published in: Tribology international 2017-09, Vol.113, p.149-168
• Main Authors: Bhardwaj, V., Pandey, R.K., Agarwal, V.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ball bearing; Ball bearings; Bearing races; Damping; Frictional torque; Greases; Lubricants & lubrication; Molybdenum sulfides; Rotors; Temperature rise; Textured races; Torque; Tribology; Vibrations
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2016.12.028

Ball bearings are widely employed in machines for supporting/guiding the rotors in spite of their low inherent damping due to the poor retainability of lubricant at the contacts of races and balls. Thus, it has been planned to enhance the availability of grease lubricant at the contacts employing the textured race and investigating its role on the tribodynamics of bearing. Experiments have been conducted employing conventional/textured races in test ball bearings (SKF-51308) for the measurement of frictional torque, temperature rise, and vibrations at various operating parameters. Significant reductions in frictional torque, temperature rise and vibrations are observed with textured races. •Tribo-dynamics behaviours of thrust ball bearing have been experimentally investigated employing textured race (stationary) and MoS2 blended grease.•Comparisons of frictional torque and vibration have been presented with conventional and textured races of ball bearings employing fresh and MoS2 blended grease.•Textured race bearing yields improved in results (low frictional torque, low temperature rise, and reduction in vibration amplitudes) in comparison to conventional race bearing.•Substantial reduction (upto to 33%) in frictional torque and reduction in vibration amplitudes (upto 50%) have been observed with lubricated textured race ball bearing at low speed (1.8m/s).