Rolling Bearings: Failures, Causes and

Countermeasures
1. Time of fracture occurrence and causes 1
1. Bearing Fracture
2. Abnormal operations, their causes and
countermeasures 2
1. Types of failure 3
2. Bearing Failure
2. Types of failure and parts in which they occur 3
3. Failures and causes 4
9 Creep 13
3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures
10 Electric pitting 14
1 Flaking, Pitting 5 5 Scratches and Scuffing 9 11 Seizure 15
2 Wear and Fretting 6 6 Rust and Corrosion 10 12 Failure of Cage 16
3 Cracks and Chips 7 7 Pear skin, Discoloration
4 Brinelling and Nicks 8 11
8 Smearing 12

– Rolling bearing: Description of each part –

Outer ring Outer ring（Cup） Outer ring front face

（Tapered) Roller Large rib

Ball Inner ring back face

Cage
Inner ring bore surface （Pressed cage） Guide rib face
Inner ring Inner ring（Cone）
Inner ring raceway surface Inner ring
Small rib raceway surface
（Raceway groove）
Roller small end face Rolling surface
Cage
Roller large end face
（Pressed cage） Inner ring front face
Rivet
Outer ring O.D. surface
Outer ring back face

Side surface

（c）Tapered roller bearing

（a）Deep groove ball bearing
 Outer ring Outer ring
（Cylindrical）Roller
Inner ring raceway surface Center rib
Inner ring Inner ring
Inner ring
Rib raceway surface
Guide rib face Guide rib face Roller filling slot
Cage Small rib
Rolling surface
（Spherical）Roller
（Machined cage with rivet） Rolling surface
Roller end face Cage
Rivet
（Machined cage） Roller large end face

（b）Cylindrical roller bearing

（d）Spherical roller bearing
Introduction

Even when bearings are being used under ideal When bearing failure is found, even if it is insignificant, it
conditions, failures of bearings are caused by deterioration is important to investigate the phenomenon to determine
of the material due to rolling fatigue. Generally, the service the causes. At this time, not only the bearing but also the
life of bearings is expressed either as a period of time or as shaft, housing, and lubricant used with the bearing should
the total number of rotations before the occurrence of be comprehensively investigated, together with the
failures in the inner ring, outer ring or rolling element bearing.
because of rolling fatigue, due to repeated stress. To judge the causes of failure, sufficient knowledge and
Rolling bearings sometimes fracture earlier than experience in bearings and lubricants and a good
expected. The following causes should be considered; understanding of the characteristics of the equipment are
q Inappropriate use of bearings necessary. In addition, consideration of the installation
w Faulty installation or improper processing conditions and operational process of the bearing is
e Improper lubricant, lubrication method or sealing
required.
device
〔Reference〕 Rated service life of rolling bearing
r Inappropriate speed and operating temperature L : Rated service life, 106 rotations
t Contamination by foreign matter during installation Pr
（ 10C ） C
p
Lh : Rated service life, h
L＝
y Abnormally heavy load
（ P）
6
r Cr : Basic dynamic load rating, N
L＝
p
h
60 n P : Dynamic equivalent load rating, N
n : Rotational speed, min
-1

p : 3 ……Ball bearing,
10/3 …Roller bearing

1. Bearing Fracture

1. Time of fracture occurrence and causes

For failure analysis, it is important to accurately For reference, time of fracture occurrence and related
determine the time a fracture occurs, because the possible causes are categorized and listed in Table 1–1.
causes of failure can be limited in according to the time of
fracture occurrence.

Table 1–1 Time of Breakage Occurrence and Causes

Inappropria Faulty design of Improper Defect Mis- Defect in sealing device,

te use of shaft, housing or lubricant, in mounting of contamination of water,
Causes
Time of bearings other installation lubrication bearing bearings dust or other foreign
fracture occurrence aspects or improper method or s matters, or shortage of
processing sealing device lubricant
(1) Fracture occurring
immediately after bearings ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
were mounted or within a
short time after mounting
(2) Fracture occurring
immediately after overhaul ○ ○

(3) Fracture occurring

immediately after lubricant ○
was supplied
(4) Fracture occurring
immediately after repair or ○ ○ ○
removal of shaft, housing
or other parts

1
(5) Fracture occurring during
normal operation ○ ○ ○

2
2. Abnormal operations, their causes and countermeasures

Causes and countermeasures of abnormal operations are

categorized and listed in Table 1–2.

Table 1–2 Abnormal Operations, their Causes and Countermeasures

Abnormal operation Causes Countermeasures (supplementary

countermeasures)
1. Excessively tight bearing Replace with a new bearing.（Correct bearing internal
internal clearance clearance and interference.）
Replace with a new bearing.（Correct interference.）
2. Creep on bearing ring

3. Excessively heavy load Remounting（Correct load by adjusting housing.）

Remounting（Correct centering, or widen mounting clearance.）
4. Improper centering in
mounting

5. Defect in bearing Replace with a new bearing.（Take proper countermeasures,

after inspecting the causes.）
6. Improper volume of lubricant Correct lubricant volume.
Increase in
temperature 7. Improper lubricant Change to proper lubricant.
8. Improper lubrication method Correct lubrication method by remounting or replacement with
new parts.

9. Oil seal Correct interference by installing new seal or changing seal

– Excessive interference type.
– Shortage of lubricant Supply lubricant.
– Improper oil seal Correct oil seal type or sealing method.
10. Abnormal contact with Remounting or modify parts.
labyrinth seal or other parts

1. Flaws including scratches, Repair bearings or replace with new ones.（Care should be
brinelling, etc. taken in handling
Excessively loud noise or foreign noise

2. Electric pitting bearings.）

Repair bearings or replace with new ones.（Prevent electricity
from passing through bearings by modifying their design.）
intervals
Noise at
uniform

3. Cracking of inner or outer Replace with a new bearing.

rin（g s）
4. Flaking of raceway surface Replace with a new bearing.
5. Receway surface roughened
by foreign matte（r s） Repair bearings or replace with new ones.

1. Excessively narrow internal Replace with a new bearing or widen internal clearance.
clearance
metallic
pitched

2. Shortage of lubricant Supply lubricant.

High-

3. Sliding of rolling element Change to proper lubricant or decrease operational clearance.

noise

1. Contamination by foreign Change to proper lubricant.

matte（r s）
2. Contact with another rolling Remounting or modify parts.
part
nonuniform
intervals

3. Flaw or flaking on rolling Replace with a new bearing.

Noise at

element
4. Wear of cage Replace with a new bearing.

1. Contamination by foreign Change to proper lubricant.

matte（r s）
2. Excessively wide clearance Remounting bearing or replace with a new one.
Excessively high 3. Flaw on raceway surface or
vibration Replace with a new bearing.
rolling contact surface

1. Improper mounting Remounting（Widen internal clearance. Care should be taken with

centering.）
Excessively Remounting（Reduce interference of oil seal.）
2. Improper sealing device Decrease lubricant volume（. Care should be taken not to supply
large rotational 3. Improper lubricant
an excessive amount of lubricant.）
torque

3
 2. Bearing Failure

1. Types of failure

Defects in the appearance of bearings are referred to as assigning a general term to each type of failure, then
bearing failures. Table 2–1 describes bearing failures, first adding more detailed classifications.

Table 2–1 Bearing Failure

Bearing
failures Main cause (reference)
Failure Failure
s details
Rolling fatigue Flaking, Pitting
Unavoidable
Wear Wear, Fretting
Fracture Cracks, Chips
Flaw Brinelling, Nicks, Scratches, Scuffing Improper handling
Rust Rust, Corrosion
Seizure Seizure, Discoloration, Smearing Improper lubrication
Creep Creep Improper fitting
Electric pitting Electric pitting Passage of electricity

2. Types of failure and parts in which they occur

Table 2–2 describes bearing failures, parts where they

occur, and standards for judging the failures.

Table 2–2 Bearing Failures, Parts in which they Occur, and Standards for
Judging Failures
Bearing ring, Rolling element Bearing Cage
ring
Bearing ·Roller guide surface
failure · Raceway surface · Pocket surface
·Cage guide surface · Others · Fitting · Rivet
· Rolling surface surface · Guide surface
·Roller end face
Flaking, Pitting × － － － － －
Wear ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ×
Fretting ○ － － ○ － －
Cracks × × × × × ×
Chips × × ○ × × ×
Brinelling ○ ○ ○ ○ － －
Nicks ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Scratches ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Scuffing ○ ○ ○ ○ － －
Rust ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Corrosion ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Pear skin ○ － － － － －
Discoloratio ○ ○ ○ ○ － －
n
Smearing ○ ○ － － － －
Creep － － － ○ － －
Electric ○ ○ － － ○ －
pitting
Seizure × × × × × －
Failure of cage － － － － ○ ×
3
Notes）× : In principle, not reusable.
○ : Reusable in accordance with seriousnes of failure, by repairing or meeting required conditions.
— : No failure of this part.

4
3. Failures and causes

Table 2–3 describes failures and causes. For further

detail, refer to Section "3 . Failures, Causes
and Countermeasures" .

Table 2–3 Failures and Causes

Failur Cause Sketches of failures

e
Circumference on one side Excessive axial load

（Fig. 1）
Symmetrical flaking on each side Inclined mounting, or shaft or housing not in the
shape of a circle
（Fig. 2）
Flakin

Flaking on one side or flaking in the form Distortion of shaft, insufficient centering,
of an oblique line on raceway surface of bearings not installed on shaft at the correct
g

Fig.1 Flaking along circumference on one

bearing ring on fixed side （Fig. 3） angle side. (Deep Groove Ball Bearing)
Partial flaking on thrust bearing Eccentric mounting

Flaking found on part only Contamination by foreign matte（r s）, flaws,

initial stage of flaking

Scuffing on roller end face and guide rib Excessive axial load, improper lubrication
face
（Fig. 4） Fig.2 Symmetrical flaking on each side.
(Tapered Roller Bearing)
Scraches on raceway surface Grease of too high viscosity, excessive
Scratches,

acceleration in starting
Scuffing

Scratches on raceway surface oh thrust Sliding of rolling element caused by centrifugal

bearing force during rotation

Cracks or chips of rolling element Improper bearing material, excessive impact too
wide internal clearance of cylindrical roller
Cracks, Chips

（Fig. 5） bearing Fig.3 Flaking in the form of an oblique line.

Cracks or chips of inner ring or outer ring Advanced stage of flaking, improper bearing (Deep Groove Ball Bearing)
material, interference too large, housing of
（Fig. 5） inaccurate design
Cracks, chips of rib Impact in mounting, axial impact, load too heavy

（Fig. 5）
Cracks, chips of cage Improper lubricant or lubrication method, high
speed operation, vibration impact too strong,
advanced stage of wear
Fig.4 Scuffing on roller end face and
Creep on inner/outer rings Insufficient interference guide rib face. (Cylindrical Roller
Cree

Bearing)
p

Wear on inner/outer rings Sliding abrasion, bearing of insufficient

hardness, contamination by foreign matte （ r
s）, shortage of lubricant, improper lubrication

Wear caused by creep Creep

Wea
r

Wear on cage Contamination by foreign matte（r s）,

improper lubrication, inclined bearing Fig.5 Cracks and/or chips on inner ring or
roller. (Spherical Roller Bearing)
Rust on inner ring bore surface or outer Fretting, water, humidity
ring O.D. surface
Corrosion

Rust covering whole bearing surface, Defective washing oil or lubricant, water,
Othe Rust,

corrosion humidity

False brinelling Progressing stage of flaws caused by load from

vibration when machine is not running. Fig.6 False brinelling on inner ring.
（Fig. 6） (Deep Groove Ball Bearing)
Fluting on raceway surface or roller rolling Passage of electricity
surface
（Fig. 7）

5
 Discoloration Heat generation, chemical action

Fluting
rs

Pitting Fig.7 Type of Electric

pitting.

6
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

1 Flaking, Pitting

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Flaking is a phenomena in which the bearing surface turns ■
Flaking on inner ring of Deep Groove Ball Bearing

scaly and peels off due to contact load repeatedly received on

the raceway and rolling surface during rotation.

Occurrence of flaking indicates that the end of a bearing's

Phenomen

service life is near.

6977)
a

Pitting is a phenomena in which small holes 0.1 mm in depth

(A-
●

are generated on the raceway surface by rolling fatigue.

■
Flaking on inner ring of Cylindrical Roller Bearing

※Flaking and pitting are often found at an early stage. In this

case, countermeasures should be taken, after examining the
causes.

Flaking and pitting occur early in a bearing's service life

7024)
under the following conditions:

(A-
1） During operation, bearing internal clearance
becomes narrower than specified. ■
Flaking on outer ring of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller
2） Bearing ring is mounted at an inclination by mistake. Bearing
3）Flaw is created during mounting, or brinelling, nicks, rust,
etc. occur on the raceway surface or rolling surface.
4）Inaccurate shape of shaft or housing（imperfect circle,
Causes

depressions on surface.）

(A-6466,
6473)
■
Flaking on inner ring of Tapered Roller Bearing

■
Flaking
a）Use a bearing with heavier rated load.
b）Check if abnormal load is being generated.
c）Improve lubrication method to ensure better formation of
(A-6644,

lubricant film, by increasing the viscosity.

6645)

d）When a failure is discovered at an early stage, the

Countermeasures

countermeasures described above should be taken, after

investigating the causes.
●
Pitting ■
Flaking on inner ring of Spherical Roller Bearing
a）Increase viscosity of lubricant to ensure better formation
of lubricant film.

（Care should be taken because foreign matters appear similar

to holes caused by brinelling or corrosion.）
6476)
(A-

7
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

2 Wear and Fretting

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Wear is caused mainly by sliding abrasion on parts including ■
Wear on roller and face of Cylindrical Roller Bearing

the roller end face and rib, cage pocket surface, cage, and the
guide surface of the bearing ring.
Wear due to contamination by foreign matter and corrosion occurs
not only to the sliding surface but also to the rolling surface.
Phenomen

●
Fretting is a phenomena which occurs when slight sliding is
repeatedly caused on the contact surface.

4718)
a

(A-
On the fitting surface, fretting corrosion occurs, generating a
rust like powder. ■
Wear on outer ring raceway surface
▲ If bearings receive a vibration load when they stop or of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing

operate, slight sliding occurs in the section between the

rolling element and bearing ring due to elastic distortion.
False brinelling, a flaw similar to brinelling, is generated by
this condition.
C
a

Wear

6714)
■

1）Improper lubricant or shortage of lubricant.

(A-
2）Contamination by foreign matte（r s）.
●
Fretting ●
Fretting on inner ring bore surface of Tapered Roller
1）Vibration load. Bearing

2）Slight vibration on fitting surface caused by load.

6649)
(A-
6735)
(A-
7278)
(A-

8
 ■
Wear
a）Review and improvement of lubricant and lubrication
method.
b）Filtering of oil.
c）Improvement of sealing.
●
Fretting
a） Investigation and countermeasures for the source
of vibration.
b） Investigation and increase of
interference. c）Enhancement of shaft ●
Fretting on outer ring O.D. surface of Deep Groove Ball
rigidity. Bearing
Vertical fretting at symmetric positions 180º apart.
Countermeasures

▲ False brinelling on inner ring raceway

surface of Deep Groove Ball Bearing

9
3 Cracks and Chips

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Cracks include slight cracks, splitting and fracture. ■
Crack and chip in a Spherical Roller Bearing

●
Chips are a type of failure occurring at a certain part of a
bearing ring rib or corner of a roller.
Phenomen

6395)
a

(A-
●
Crack on outer ring of Four-Point Contact Ball Bearing
Crack starting from key groove on O.D. surface.

■
Cracks

6625)
1）Heavy load.

(A-
2） Excessively heavy internal load caused by improper
installation.
3） Excessive interference at fitting, or shaft and housing
■
Crack in outer ring of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller
of improper shape. Bearing
4） Instantaneous heat generation of bearing caused by
C
a

sudden sliding at rolling surface, sliding surface or fitting

surface.
5） Abnormal heat is generated due to shortage of lubricant.
●
Chips
1） Abnormally heavy axial load or impact load.

6626)
2） Partial impact of hammer or other tool used when bearing

(A-
is mounting or dismounting.

6655)
(A-
6658)
(A-

1
0
 ■
Cracks
a）Investigation followed by countermeasures for excessively
heavy load.
b）Removal of thermal impact.
c）Improvement of interference（decrease of interference.）
●
Chips
a）Improvement of mounting and dismounting procedures.
b）Improvement of handling method.
c）Investigation followed by countermeasures for excessively
heavy load. ●
Chip in outer ring rib of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
Countermeasures

●
Chip in outer ring rib of Cylindrical Roller Bearing

1
1
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

4 Brinelling and Nicks

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Brinelling is depressions created on the part of the raceway ■
Brinelling on outer ring raceway
surface of Deep Groove Ball
surface which comes into contact with the rolling element, Bearing
and is due to plastic deformation.
Brinelling is also small depressions on the rolling surface
caused by contamination by solid foreign matters.
Phenomen

●
Nicks are a flaw caused by the direct impact received when
a

6474)
bearings are hit by a hammer or other solid tool.

(A-
■
Brinelling on inner ring raceway
surface of Tapered Roller Bearing

■
Brinelling
C
a

1） Extremely heavy load（static load, impact load）applied

6617)
to bearing.

(A-
2） Solid foreign matter caught in bearing parts.

●
Nicks
1）Faulty bearing mounting or dismounting.
2）Mis-handling of bearings.

1
2
 ■
Brinelling
a）Investigation followed by countermeasures for excessively
heavy load or impact.
b）Enhancement of sealing capability.
c）Careful washing of shaft and housing to remove foreign
matter.
d） Filtering of oil.
e） Investigation of flaking in target bearing together with
other bearings.
●
Nicks
a）Improvement of bearing mounting and dismounting.
b）Improvement of bearing handling.
Countermeasures

1
3
5 Scratches and Scuffing

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
A scratch is a relatively shallow flaw caused by sliding ■
Scratch on roller rolling surface of Cylindrical Roller
Bearing
contact.
●
Scuffing is a flaw caused by high contact pressure and heat
on the rolling surface.
In general, more serious scratches are regarded as scuffing.
Phenomen

1） Flaw in the axial direction（flaw occurring in mounting） In

the mounting of bearings whose outer rings and inner

(A-6451,
6453)
rings are separable, a flaw in the axial direction is
a

sometimes caused by contact with the edge of rollers or

raceway surfaces.
These are referred to as flaws in the axial direction. ■
Scratch on roller rolling surface of Cylindrical Roller
2） Scuffing on roller end face and rib face Bearing
Cycloidal flaws can occur on the roller end or rib face of Scratch occurring in circumference direction.

the bearing ring, which guides rollers.

Flaws such as scratches, which occur on these parts are
called scuffing.

6452)
（1） Flaw generated during mounting.

(A-
1）Careless handling in mounting or dismounting.
（2） Scuffing on roller end face and rib face.
1 ） Improper lubrication at contact face.
2）Excessive preload.
Scratch on outer ring raceway surface of Double-Row
C
a

3 ） Intrusion of foreign matter.

Cylindrical Roller Bearing Roller which slides when running.
4）Abnormal axial load.
（3） Scratches and scuffing on raceway surface and rolling
surface.
1）Improper rotation of rolling element.
2）Improper lubrication.
3）Intrusion of foreign matter.

6470)
(A-
6736)
(A-
6669)
(A-

9
 （1） Flaw generated during mounting.
a）Improvement in operations involved in mounting and
dismounting.
（Implementation of accurate center adjustment.）
（2） Scuffing on roller end face and rib face.
a）Review and improvement of lubricant and lubrication
method.
b）Inspection and countermeasures for abnormal load.
c）Enhancement of sealing capability.
●
Scuffing on inner ring bore surface of Tapered Roller
（3） Scratches and scuffing on raceway surface and rolling Bearing
surface.
a）Review and improvement of lubricant and lubrication
method.
b）Enhancement of sealing capability.
c）Sufficient cleaning of shaft and housing.
Countermeasures

●
Scuffing on inner ring rib face and roller
and face of Cylindrical Roller Bearing with
rib

9
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

6 Rust and Corrosion

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Rust is a film of oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate produced on ■
Rust on outer ring raceway surface of Double-Row
Angular Ball Bearing Rust on raceway surface of one
a metallic surface by chemical action. row.

●
Corrosion is the phenomena of oxidation or dissolution
occurring on the surface and is produced by chemical action
Phenomen

（electric chemical action including combination or cell

restructuring）with acid or alkali.
a

6494)
(A-
■
Rust on outer ring raceway surface
of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing Rust on roller pitch.

■
Rust

6472)
1） When equipment is stopped and its temperature

(A-
decreases to the dew point, humidity in the housing
turns
into drops of water. The water drops often contaminate ■
Rust on roller rolling surface of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
the lubricant. As a result, rust is generated on the bearing Rust at one position the rollers.
surface.
Cau
ses

2） When bearings are stored in a humid place for a long

time, rust is generated on the raceway surface at intervals
equal
to the rolling elements spacing.
●
Corrosion
1） Corrosion occurs when a sulfur or chlorine compound
contained in lubricant additives decomposes under high

6479)
(A-
temperature.
2） Corrosion occurs when water gets inside bearings.

7130)
(A-
7051)
(A-

10
 ■
Rust ● Corrosion
a）Enhancement of sealing capability.
b）Periodic inspection of lubricant.
c）Provision for adequate rust prevention during storage of
bearings.

■
Rust on inner and outer rings and on roller
of Tapered Roller Bearing Rust on roller pitch of one row.
Countermeasures

■
Rust on outer ring raceway surface of Tapered Roller
Bearing

11
 7 Pear skin, Discoloration

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Pear skin is a condition of the rolling surface where small ■
Pear skin on inner ring raceway
surface of Double-Row Cylindrical
depressions are created entirely as a result of many foreign Roller Bearing
matters being caught between parts.
A rolling surface suffering from pear skin appears dim and is
rough in texture. In the worst case, the surface is discolored
Phenomen

by heat.
a

6556)
Discoloration is a phenomena in which the bearing surface is

(A-
●

discolored by staining or heat generated during operation.

■
Pear skin on inner ring raceway
surface of Deep Groove Ball
Bearing

■
Pear skin

6960)
Since pear skin is mainly caused by contamination by foreign

(A-
matter or lack of lubricant, these two points should be
inspected most carefully.
●
Discoloration on ball surface of Deep Groove Ball Bearing
Causes

●
Discoloration
1）Discoloration（staining）is caused by deterioration of the
lubricant or adhesion of colored substances to the bearing
surface.
Some of these substances can be removed by scrubbing or
wiping with a solvent.

6639)
(A-
2）A brown discoloration of the rolling or sliding surface is
caused by adhesion of acidic powders generated by
abrasion during operation.
In general, these powders adhere uniformly to the bearing ●
Discoloration on raceway surface, roller rolling
circumference.
6725)
(A-
5982)
(A-

12
 surface of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
■
Pear skin
a）Careful washing of shaft and housing.
b）Enhancement of sealing capability.
c）Filtering of oil.
d）Review of lubricant and lubrication method.
●
Discoloration
Discoloration can be classified as follows: staining, electric
pitting, rust, corrosion, and temper color. Stains can be
removed
by wiping with an organic solvent（aceton）. When observed by
microscope, electric pitting is small depressions caused by
Countermeasures

electric discharge. If unevenness remains on the surface after ●

Discoloration on inner ring and roller of Tapered Roller
wiping with sand paper, the phenomena are judged to be rust Bearing
and corrosion. If unevenness is completely removed, the Staining
phenomena is judged to be temper color caused by heat.
a）Improvement of heat dissipation from bearings.
b）Improvement of lubrication.
c）Review followed by countermeasures for bearing operating
conditions.

13
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

8 Smearing

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Smearing is a phenomena where minute seizure is ■
Smearing on inner ring raceway
surface of Deep Groove Ball
concentrated on the rolling surface. Bearing
In smearing, the surface is partially melted by heat of high
temperature generated by friction; and on some parts, the
surface damaged becomes significantly rough.
Phenomen
a

6640)
(A-
■
Smearing on ball surface

1） Smearing occurs if the oil film disappears as

C
a

6641)
rolling elements stop rotating due to inappropriate

(A-
use or
improper lubrication, and then start to slide on the
raceway surface.
2） In ball bearings, smearing is caused by sliding or
■
Smearing on inner ring raceway surface of Angular Ball
spinning of balls; and, in roller bearings, smearing tends Bearing
to occur
when the roller enters into on from the load zone.

6642)
(A-
7435)
(A-
6480)
(A-

14
 a）Review followed by countermeasures to improve the
formation of oil film.
b）Provision for extreme-pressure lubricant. c）Adoption
of countermeasures to prevent sliding.
（by diminishing mounting clearance.）

■
Smearing on outer ring raceway
surface of Cylindrical Roller
Bearing
Countermeasures

■
Smearing on roller rolling surface of Cylindrical Roller
Bearing

15
 9 Creep

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Creep is the displacement during operation of a bearing ring, ■
Creep of Deep Groove Ball Bearing inner ring
relative to the shaft or housing.
Phenomen

6726)
a

(A-
■
Creep of Deep Groove Ball Bearing outer ring

6957)
Creep occurs when interference is too small in relation to the

(A-
heat or load generated during operation.

■
Creep of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing inner ring
Causes

6647)
(A-
■
Creep of Tapered Roller Bearing inner ring

Review of interference between inner ring and shaft and

between outer ring and housing.（Increase of interference.）
6616)
Countermeasures

(A-

16
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

10 Electric pitting

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Electric pitting is a phenomena in which the bearing surface ■
Electric pitting on Deep Groove Ball Bearing
Fluting on inner ring raceway surface.
is partially melted by sparks generated when electric current
enters the bearing and passes through an extremely thin oil
film at the rolling contact point.
Electric pitting can be classified into pitting or ridge marks,
Phenomen

which the rolling contact surface propagates. Depressions

like craters can be observed when pitting is magnified,
a

indicating that the surface has been melted by sparks.

6652)
(A-
・Significant electric pitting causes flaking.
In addition, since the hardness of the rolling contact surface ■
Electric pitting on Cylindrical Roller Bearing
deteriorates, the surface tends to be easily worn.
・If a fluting surface is found by manual inspection, or pitting is
observed by normal visual inspection, the bearing cannot be re-
used.

Bearing surface is partially melted by electric current passing

6653)
through the bearing.

(A-
■
Electric pitting on Cylindrical Roller Bearing inner ring
Causes

5180)
(A-
■
Fluting on Cylindrical Roller Bearing inner ring

a）Improvement of grounding or improvement of grounding

maintenance.
b）Provision of insulation for bearings or for the section near
bearings.
Countermeasures

6651)
(A-

■
Fluting on Spherical Roller Rolling surface
(A-6409,
6650)

17
11 Seizure

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures
■
Although scuffing and smearing can be categorized as ■
Seizure of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
Rollers are removed because pocket surface of cage has become worn.
seizure, scuffing is generally regarded as a more serious type
of failure. The seizure described in this section is the kind in
which bearing parts are melted and adhere to one another
due to abnormal heat or the rolling surface becoming rough;
Phenomen

as a result, the bearing can no longer rotate.

・Once seizure occurs, the bearing cannot be used again

6457)
a

because the hardness has deteriorated and smooth rotation is

(A-
impossible on the rough surface.
■
Seizure of Cylindrical Roller Bearing with rib

Seizure results from abnormal heat generated by improper

6464)
lubrication, excessive preload, or improper contact of rolling

(A-
elements with the raceway surface, which cannot be
compensated for by the cooling method or lubrication ■
Seizure of Tapered Roller Bearing
employed in the bearings. Heat is generated on roller end face and inner ring rib face.
Causes

6679)
(A-

Causes should be investigated; and appropriate counter-

measures corresponding to the results should be taken.
Countermeasures

18
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

12 Failure of Cage

Phenomena, causes and Examples of failures

countermeasures

1） Cracks and Chips

●
Crack of Deep Groove Ball Bearing cage
If a seriously cracked bearing is used under heavy
operating conditions, it will fail.
2） Flaw and Distortion
・Since cages are made from soft material, they tend to be
damaged or become distorted by external forces or from
contact with other parts.
・Since cages with a serious flaw also have distortion, their
accuracy may decrease.
And the motion of the rolling element is consequently

6455)
(A-
affected; therefore, especially the size and location of
the flaw should be checked with care.
●
Crack of Tapered Roller Bearing cage
3） Rust and Corrosion
If rust or corrosion is found on cages, it can be assumed
that it is also occurring on the bearing ring and rolling
Phenomen

element.
4） Wear
a

As described in Section 2 , cages under the following

conditions can no longer be used because proper rotation
of the rolling element is hindered: cages whose pocket
surface has been worn down in the shape of the rolling

6670)
(A-
elements; cages which cannot maintain the rolling
elements, and cages whose guide surface for the bearing
ring has been eccentrically or severely worn. ●
Distortion of Cylindrical Roller Bearing cage

5） Looseness and Improper Riveting

Looseness of the rivet is caused by an error in bearing
mounting, moment load, variable load, vibration, etc.
If a bearing is operated with improper riveting, the bearing
cannot be returned to service because the rivets may
break.

7026)
(A-
●
Looseness of Cylindrical Roller Bearing cage rivet
1） Cracks and Chips
a）Careless handling.
b）Abnormal load, Vibration impact.
2） Flaw, Distortion
Causes and countermeasures

a）Careless handling.
3） Rust, Corrosion
a）Improvement of sealing capability.
Periodic inspection of lubricant.
b）Provision of adequate rust prevention during storage of
bearings
4） Wear
6481)

a）Improper lubricant or shortage of lubricant ...

(A-

Investigation followed by countermeasures

involving lubricant and lubrication method. ●
Rust on Tapered Roller bearing cage
b）Contamination by foreign matter ... Improvement of
sealing capability.
5） Looseness and Cut-Off of Rivet
a）Improper bearing mounting ... Reduction of bearing
inclination. b）Severe
load or vibration ... Consultation with Koyo.
7131)
(A-

1
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