The three broad modes of failure of bearings include: fatigue pitting, wear, and plastic deformation.

Fatigue pitting: This is the fatigue failure of the material due to the action of alternating stress on the working surface of the bearing. Fatigue pitting corrosion typically manifests as cracks at the maximum alternating shear stress below the contact surface, which gradually spreads to the surface to form spalling. Fatigue pitting is one of the common failure modes of bearings, especially in bearings at general speeds.

Abrasion: Abrasion is a failure caused by the constant wear of the metal on the working surface due to the relative sliding friction between the surfaces. Forms of wear include abrasive wear and adhesive wear. Abrasive wear is caused by foreign hard particles or metal abrasive debris entering the friction surface, often causing furrow-like abrasions on the bearing working surface. Adhesive wear is caused by the microscopic protrusion of the friction surface or foreign matter that makes the friction surface uneven, resulting in local friction heat, resulting in local deformation of the friction surface and microwelding.

Plastic deformation: Plastic deformation usually occurs under overload or shock load, resulting in permanent deformation. This failure mode is more common in low-speed, heavy-duty or high-speed bearings. Plastic deformation can cause changes in the shape and size of the bearing, affecting its normal operation.

Precautionary measures

In order to reduce the occurrence of these failure modes, the following measures can be taken: Regular inspection and maintenance: Regularly check the working condition of the bearing and replace the damaged parts in time Reasonable lubrication: Ensure that the bearing is fully lubricated to avoid wear and fatigue pitting caused by poor lubrication Control load: Avoid overload and shock load, ensure that the bearing works within the rated load range Choose the right bearing type: Choose the right bearing type according to the working conditions to improve its service life and reliability.