https://www.miningweekly.com
Automotive|BMG|Business|Cutting|Efficiency|Electrical|Engineering|Fabrication|gaskets|Generator|Industrial|Installation|Marine|Mining|Power|Service|Surface|System|Systems|Technology|Training|Welding|Maintenance|Products|Solutions|Environmental|Bearing|Bearings
Automotive|BMG|Business|Cutting|Efficiency|Electrical|Engineering|Fabrication|gaskets|Generator|Industrial|Installation|Marine|Mining|Power|Service|Surface|System|Systems|Technology|Training|Welding|Maintenance|Products|Solutions|Environmental|Bearing|Bearings
automotive|bmg|business|cutting|efficiency|electrical|engineering|fabrication|gaskets|generator|industrial|installation|marine|mining|power|service|surface|system|systems|technology|training|welding|maintenance|products|solutions|environmental|bearing|bearings

Correct lubrication enhances bearing performance

STOP CAUSING FRICTION 
The purpose of any lubricant is to separate the mating surfaces and thereby reduce friction and wear

STOP CAUSING FRICTION The purpose of any lubricant is to separate the mating surfaces and thereby reduce friction and wear

11th June 2021

     

Font size: - +

Friction wastes power, it is a generator of unnecessary heat, the cause of wear and tear and it reduces mechanical efficiency of plant and machinery, explains engineering solutions provider BMG. The undesired effects of friction are effectively reduced by the use of an appropriate lubricant and lubricating system, designed for each specific application.

“To achieve optimum bearing performance and extended life, correct lubrication is as important as the appropriate selection of each bearing. Although a general multipurpose grease is adequate in many applications, more arduous operating conditions demand the careful choice of the correct lubricant and lubricating system. In selecting the right lubricant for a specific application, factors to be considered are speed, ambient temperature, load, vibration and environmental conditions,” says BMG bearings, seals and gaskets business unit manager Wayne Holton.

Damage to moving parts can manifest itself in different forms, including surface damage and wear. When materials of different hardness rub together, damage occurs mainly on the softer material. Damage is most severe when materials of similar hardness rub together and when clean and smooth surfaces are rubbed together. In these instances, friction is high and the two surfaces are likely to seize.

Adhesive wear, which is caused by local welding of contact points and the subsequent ripping of material, increases with load and reduces with the hardness of the materials. Abrasive wear occurs when a harder surface gouges a softer one, or when hard particles are introduced between the surfaces, resulting in the tearing of the materials.

Meanwhile, pitting wear occurs as a result of surface fatigue of the material, owing to contact stresses exceeding the fatigue strength. This type of wear occurs when the surfaces are being ‘run in’ and reduce when any high spots are flattened sufficiently to distribute the load uniformly over the total area of the mating surfaces. When excessive loading occurs, pitting continues and will eventually destroy the surfaces.

The purpose of any lubricant, which may take the form of an oil, a grease or a solid, is to separate the mating surfaces and thereby reduce friction and wear. Correct lubrication is critical for optimum bearing performance and extended service life.

Hydrodynamic lubrication has, as its basis, the presence of a ‘wedge’ of lubricant separating the two running surfaces and supporting the load by hydrodynamic reaction forces. This implies that, in the case of journal bearings, the shaft will, at low speeds and high loading, be eccentric. The eccentricity will reduce with the increase in shaft speed and reduction in loading.

Ball and roller bearings are designed to be lubricated using boundary lubrication, thin film lubrication or full hydrodynamic lubrication systems. The specific duty will determine the most appropriate form of lubrication for the application. Extreme pressure additives may be necessary and for bearings operating at high temperatures, a lubricant with a high viscosity index is often required.

Oil lubricants may be applied by means of an oil bath, with the bearing submerged in oil. This method is not suitable for high-speed applications. Secondly is external pressure, in which a pump is used to supply the bearing with the lubricant. Lastly, mist spray lubrication is sprayed onto the bearing under pressure.

Greases, which are a combination of mineral oil and a thickening agent (metallic soap) are difficult to pump continuously into bearings and are usually applied periodically, providing only boundary lubrication. Special devices are available to continuously supply bearings with the appropriate amount of grease.

The main advantage of grease lubrication is that because this material is a semi-solid, it also acts as a good sealant to prevent the ingress of dirt particles. However, working temperatures may limit the use of grease in some applications.

BMG’s Range

BMG’s range of lubricants, oils and greases has been developed by leading suppliers with the latest formulations and technologies, to meet the demands of sectors such as mining, automotive, marine, and general industry.

“Included in this range are mining lubricants and allied chemicals that offer solutions for the most difficult lubrication problems,” says Holton.

BMG’s range of industrial products includes antiseize compounds and penetrants, assembly and disassembly products, chain lubricants, transmission oils, cleaners and degreasers, electrical maintenance products, plastic moulding and cutting compounds, as well as engineering and fabrication materials. Also available are a number of greasing solutions, including open gear lubricants and wire rope dressings, bearing and synthetic bearing greases, as well as other general grease products.

BMG has developed a bearing course for companies, which includes technical training on correct bearing selection, handling, installation and maintenance. It also includes relevant information on the importance of correct shaft and bore tolerances, proper fitting tools and techniques, advances in lubrication technology and the basics of condition monitoring and failure investigation.

Edited by Nadine James
Features Deputy Editor

Comments

Projects

Latest News

Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Showroom

Alco-Safe
Alco-Safe

An unmanned breathalyser that is made to be tough and simple to use. Can be used in any environment for operator-free breathalyser testing.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.206 0.248s - 178pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now