Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach

A tapered roller bearing (TRB) is a specialized type of bearing with a high load-to-volume ratio, designed to support both radial and axial loads. Lubrication plays a crucial role in TRB operation by reducing friction and dissipating heat generated during rotation. However, it can also negatively im...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Ishaq Khan, Lorenzo Maccioni, Franco Concli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Lubricants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/5/204
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author Muhammad Ishaq Khan
Lorenzo Maccioni
Franco Concli
author_facet Muhammad Ishaq Khan
Lorenzo Maccioni
Franco Concli
author_sort Muhammad Ishaq Khan
collection DOAJ
description A tapered roller bearing (TRB) is a specialized type of bearing with a high load-to-volume ratio, designed to support both radial and axial loads. Lubrication plays a crucial role in TRB operation by reducing friction and dissipating heat generated during rotation. However, it can also negatively impact TRB performance due to the viscous and inertial effects of the lubricant. Extensive research has been conducted to examine the role of lubrication in TRB performance. Lubrication primarily influences the frictional characteristics, thermal behavior, hydraulic losses, dynamic stability, and contact mechanics of TRBs. This paper aims to collect and classify the scientific literature on TRB lubrication based on these key aspects. Specifically, it explores the scope of research on the use of Newtonian and non-Newtonian lubricants in TRBs. Furthermore, this study analyzes research based on TRB size and type, considering both oil and grease as lubricants. The findings indicate that both numerical and experimental studies have been conducted to investigate Newtonian and non-Newtonian lubricants across various TRB sizes and types. However, the results highlight that limited research has focused on non-Newtonian lubricants in TRBs with an Outer Diameter (OD) exceeding 300 mm, i.e., those typically used in wind turbines, industrial gearboxes, and railways.
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spelling doaj-art-e1e397fbe8f5480a8784c0e1f8697db62025-08-20T02:33:54ZengMDPI AGLubricants2075-44422025-05-0113520410.3390/lubricants13050204Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study ApproachMuhammad Ishaq Khan0Lorenzo Maccioni1Franco Concli2Faculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyFaculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyFaculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyA tapered roller bearing (TRB) is a specialized type of bearing with a high load-to-volume ratio, designed to support both radial and axial loads. Lubrication plays a crucial role in TRB operation by reducing friction and dissipating heat generated during rotation. However, it can also negatively impact TRB performance due to the viscous and inertial effects of the lubricant. Extensive research has been conducted to examine the role of lubrication in TRB performance. Lubrication primarily influences the frictional characteristics, thermal behavior, hydraulic losses, dynamic stability, and contact mechanics of TRBs. This paper aims to collect and classify the scientific literature on TRB lubrication based on these key aspects. Specifically, it explores the scope of research on the use of Newtonian and non-Newtonian lubricants in TRBs. Furthermore, this study analyzes research based on TRB size and type, considering both oil and grease as lubricants. The findings indicate that both numerical and experimental studies have been conducted to investigate Newtonian and non-Newtonian lubricants across various TRB sizes and types. However, the results highlight that limited research has focused on non-Newtonian lubricants in TRBs with an Outer Diameter (OD) exceeding 300 mm, i.e., those typically used in wind turbines, industrial gearboxes, and railways.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/5/204rolling element bearinglubricationoilgrease
spellingShingle Muhammad Ishaq Khan
Lorenzo Maccioni
Franco Concli
Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach
Lubricants
rolling element bearing
lubrication
oil
grease
title Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach
title_full Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach
title_fullStr Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach
title_full_unstemmed Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach
title_short Trends in Lubrication Research on Tapered Roller Bearings: A Review by Bearing Type and Size, Lubricant, and Study Approach
title_sort trends in lubrication research on tapered roller bearings a review by bearing type and size lubricant and study approach
topic rolling element bearing
lubrication
oil
grease
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/5/204
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AT lorenzomaccioni trendsinlubricationresearchontaperedrollerbearingsareviewbybearingtypeandsizelubricantandstudyapproach
AT francoconcli trendsinlubricationresearchontaperedrollerbearingsareviewbybearingtypeandsizelubricantandstudyapproach