How to properly lubricate deep groove ball bearings?

As a common type of rolling bearing, deep groove ball bearings play an important role in various mechanical equipment. In order to ensure its stable operation and extend its service life, lubrication is a vital link. Lubrication can not only reduce friction and wear inside the bearing, but also prevent direct contact between metal surfaces, reduce heat accumulation during operation, and play a role in rust prevention, pollution removal and shock buffering.

When choosing a lubricant, it is usually necessary to decide whether to use grease or oil based on the operating temperature, speed and load of the bearing. Grease has the characteristics of strong adhesion, good sealing and long maintenance cycle, and is suitable for equipment with medium and low speeds, inconvenient maintenance or intermittent operation. Lubricating oil is suitable for high-speed, continuous operation and high heat dissipation requirements. For most daily equipment, the use of grease is a relatively stable and trouble-free choice, but attention should still be paid to its quality and adaptability.

The filling method of lubricant also needs to be particular. If there is too little grease, a complete lubricating film may not be formed, resulting in increased metal contact and excessive wear; while too much grease will easily lead to increased operating resistance, severe heat generation, and even squeeze the seal to cause leakage. When filling, the equipment instructions or empirical data should be followed, and the filling amount of the lubrication cavity should generally be maintained within a reasonable range. In addition, it is not recommended to mix different types of lubricants, as different components may cause chemical reactions, failure or decreased adhesion.

During operation, the lubrication status should also be checked regularly. Whether the lubrication is good can be judged by the sound, vibration and temperature of the bearing operation. If the running sound becomes thicker, the vibration is frequent, and the bearing part is obviously hot, it often means that the lubricant has aged or failed and needs to be replaced in time. For equipment that needs to work continuously for a long time, a fixed lubrication maintenance plan should be formulated, and the lubricant should be replenished or replaced periodically to keep the bearing working in a more ideal lubrication environment.

For working conditions with more complex environments, such as dusty, humid or high temperature environments, it is also necessary to select special lubricants with antioxidant, water-resistant and high temperature resistance, and strengthen the sealing design to prevent external contaminants from entering the bearing. In this case, even if a suitable lubricant is used, daily inspection and maintenance should be strengthened to prevent equipment failure caused by lubricant failure.

Before installing the bearing, it is also necessary to pay attention to the cleaning of the bearing and the bearing seat to ensure that there are no foreign matter and residual grease. Newly assembled bearings should be lubricated under clean conditions to prevent impurities from mixing in. Lubricants should also be stored in a dry, cool and sealed state to prevent their performance from deteriorating.

Proper lubrication is not only a basic operation during the use of deep groove ball bearings, but also an important guarantee for their reliable operation. By scientifically selecting lubricants, reasonably controlling the filling amount, regular maintenance and inspection, and considering the special needs of the use environment, the wear and aging of bearings can be effectively delayed, and the operating efficiency and stability of the overall mechanical system can be improved. Lubrication seems simple, but it often determines the length of the equipment's service life, and cannot be ignored in industrial production and equipment management.