Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing

Abstract Grease is extensively used in rolling bearings due to its inherent sealing properties. However, mechanical degradation typically occurs, resulting in a significantly shorter lifespan for the grease compared to the bearing. Investigating aging mechanisms is essential. This study utilized rol...

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Main Authors: Jialong Yang, Yuhao Zhang, Zongzheng Wang, Wei Pu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s10033-024-01159-6
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author Jialong Yang
Yuhao Zhang
Zongzheng Wang
Wei Pu
author_facet Jialong Yang
Yuhao Zhang
Zongzheng Wang
Wei Pu
author_sort Jialong Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Grease is extensively used in rolling bearings due to its inherent sealing properties. However, mechanical degradation typically occurs, resulting in a significantly shorter lifespan for the grease compared to the bearing. Investigating aging mechanisms is essential. This study utilized rolling bearings to obtain mechanically aged greases. The aged samples were then subjected to do rheological test, FTIR test and friction test to examine the effects of aging time, radial load, and rotational speed. An innovative disk-ball-disk device was developed to study the friction characteristics of aged grease in rolling bearings. Additionally, a grease lubrication and friction model were proposed to further evaluate the lubrication performance of aged grease, using measured rheological parameters and the kinematic velocities of the disk-ball-disk device as inputs. The calculated friction coefficients matched well with disk-ball-disk experimental results. FTIR analysis revealed that the non-soap thickener's structure remained stable, but additives depleted at high speeds. The structure of lithium soap thickener decomposed severely, leading to oil bleeding and a shortened replenishment duration. Over aging time, both greases had lower friction and viscosity due to gradual thickener breakdown, releasing bled oil and extending replenishment. Radial load minimally affected the properties of aged grease. This study may provide valuable insights into the aging mechanisms of grease and the enhancement of rolling bearing lubrication.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2192-8258
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher SpringerOpen
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series Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering
spelling doaj-art-18ad0fd418914372aa320d98b71d15752025-01-19T12:12:55ZengSpringerOpenChinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering2192-82582025-01-0138111910.1186/s10033-024-01159-6Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling BearingJialong Yang0Yuhao Zhang1Zongzheng Wang2Wei Pu3School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sichuan UniversitySchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sichuan UniversitySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan UniversitySchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sichuan UniversityAbstract Grease is extensively used in rolling bearings due to its inherent sealing properties. However, mechanical degradation typically occurs, resulting in a significantly shorter lifespan for the grease compared to the bearing. Investigating aging mechanisms is essential. This study utilized rolling bearings to obtain mechanically aged greases. The aged samples were then subjected to do rheological test, FTIR test and friction test to examine the effects of aging time, radial load, and rotational speed. An innovative disk-ball-disk device was developed to study the friction characteristics of aged grease in rolling bearings. Additionally, a grease lubrication and friction model were proposed to further evaluate the lubrication performance of aged grease, using measured rheological parameters and the kinematic velocities of the disk-ball-disk device as inputs. The calculated friction coefficients matched well with disk-ball-disk experimental results. FTIR analysis revealed that the non-soap thickener's structure remained stable, but additives depleted at high speeds. The structure of lithium soap thickener decomposed severely, leading to oil bleeding and a shortened replenishment duration. Over aging time, both greases had lower friction and viscosity due to gradual thickener breakdown, releasing bled oil and extending replenishment. Radial load minimally affected the properties of aged grease. This study may provide valuable insights into the aging mechanisms of grease and the enhancement of rolling bearing lubrication.https://doi.org/10.1186/s10033-024-01159-6Grease agingMechanical effectRolling bearingFriction measurement
spellingShingle Jialong Yang
Yuhao Zhang
Zongzheng Wang
Wei Pu
Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing
Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Grease aging
Mechanical effect
Rolling bearing
Friction measurement
title Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing
title_full Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing
title_fullStr Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing
title_full_unstemmed Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing
title_short Research on Mechanical Aging Behavior of Grease in Rolling Bearing
title_sort research on mechanical aging behavior of grease in rolling bearing
topic Grease aging
Mechanical effect
Rolling bearing
Friction measurement
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s10033-024-01159-6
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AT yuhaozhang researchonmechanicalagingbehaviorofgreaseinrollingbearing
AT zongzhengwang researchonmechanicalagingbehaviorofgreaseinrollingbearing
AT weipu researchonmechanicalagingbehaviorofgreaseinrollingbearing