What Happens When a Bearing is Over Greased?

What Happens When a Bearing is Over Greased?

When a bearing is over-greased, several issues can arise, leading to potential damage and reduced bearing life. Here’s what happens when a bearing is over-greased:

1. Increased Heat Generation: Over-greasing can cause excess grease to create additional friction inside the bearing. This friction increases the temperature, leading to potential overheating. Excessive heat can degrade the grease and cause it to lose its lubricating properties.
2. Grease Churning: Too much grease can cause it to churn within the bearing cavity. This churning can aerate the grease, making it less effective and causing it to lose its consistency. This further contributes to heat generation and reduced lubrication efficiency.
3. Seal Damage: Excessive grease can put pressure on the seals of the bearing, potentially causing them to fail. Damaged seals can lead to grease leakage and allow contaminants to enter the bearing, accelerating wear and reducing bearing life.
4. Increased Drag and Energy Consumption: Over-greased bearings may experience increased drag because of the excess lubricant. This can lead to higher energy consumption and reduced efficiency of the machinery.
5. Grease Purging: In extreme cases, the excess grease may be forced out of the bearing, especially if the bearing operates at high speeds. This purged grease can contaminate surrounding areas, create safety hazards, and necessitate additional maintenance.
6. Bearing Wear: Over time, the increased heat, reduced lubrication efficiency, and potential for contamination can lead to accelerated wear of the bearing components. This can result in premature bearing failure.

Preventing Over-Greasing

To avoid these issues, it's important to apply the correct amount of grease and correct grease from Molyduval we can suggest fast run bearing greases Molyduval Supravit ...  and for high temperatures Molyduval Pegasus ... range. Regular monitoring of bearing temperature and performance can also help detect early signs of over-greasing or other lubrication issues.

Formula for bearing greasing:

Grease Quantity (g)=0.114×D×B

Where:

• D is the bearing's outside diameter in millimeters (mm).
• B is the bearing's width in millimeters (mm).

Explanation:

0.114 is a constant derived from empirical data that provides a good estimate for most bearings.

D × BD represents the volume of the bearing that needs lubrication.

This formula gives you the approximate amount of grease in grams needed to lubricate the bearing properly. However, the actual amount may vary depending on the bearing type, operating conditions, and grease type. Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines when available.