The temperature of the bearing rises as the rotational speed of the bearing rises, owing to heat buildup inside the bearing due to friction. This might cause a lot of damage to the bearing, such as seizure, and the bearing will be unable to keep operating in good condition.

The bearing life and performance will be inadequate if a bearing designed for operation at normal temperatures is employed in an exceptionally high or low temperature environment.

High temperatures can cause “bleed out,” which means grease from the bearings may start to flow away from important areas. Certain oils can evaporate or flash out at temperatures over 175 °C, which can damage the surface of the balls and raceways and eventually cause a bearing to fail. For every 15°C increase above 70°C, grease life is typically reduced by half. Meanwhile, low temperatures can cause higher lubricant viscosity that will produce higher torque and cause skidding.

Numerous mechanical and kinematic factors restrict the maximum speed of a ball bearing in operation. Narrow bearing and surrounding part tolerances, particular lubrication and lubricant type measures, as well as special retainer materials and designs, all have a major effect on the speed limit. For this reason, Feiken Bearing simply provides an idea of the ball bearing’s relative speed appropriateness. If your operating circumstances are different, please contact us for further information.