Rolling Element Bearings

For rolling element bearings to operate reliably, they must be properly lubricated to prevent direct metal contact between the rolling elements, raceways and cages. A wide selection of greases and oils is available for the lubrication of rolling bearings, and there are also solid lubricants for extreme conditions. The choice of lubricant depends primarily on the operating conditions, i.e. temperature range and speeds, the load it must carry and the influence of the environment surrounding the bearing. In addition to these considerations for lubricant selection, one should also consider re-lubrication frequency in achieving maximum bearing reliability.