The normal operation of bearings cannot be separated from effective lubrication, but the damage of water to bearings may not be paid attention to by everyone. In fact, water has a great impact on the life of bearings. Only a small amount of water (close to 500ppm), the life of rolling bearings will be greatly reduced.

The harm of moisture is reflected in two aspects: direct damage to the metal surface, and damage to lubricating oil/grease, which indirectly leads to bearing damage.

Water will cause corrosion on the metal surface. For lubricating oil and grease, water will cause the oxidation and deterioration of the base oil in the oil, and the oxidation products will contact with water again, and generate acidic substances to corrode the metal. In addition, water causes oil oxidation metamorphism, resulting in sludge, affecting the viscosity and normal flow of oil, further causing lubrication problems. So the whole problem starts with a small amount of water, and it has a ripple effect, and it accumulates into a big damage.

1. Consume the additives in the oil

The main component of lubricating oil and grease is base oil, and some additives. In addition to antioxidants, there are other additives such as anti-wear agent, extreme pressure agent, rust inhibitor, cleaning dispersant, anti-emulsifier and so on.

Water can cause the additive to hydrolyze, coagulate, lose, some phos extreme pressure agent in the presence of water will denaturate, form sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid, increase the acid value of oil, the formation of corrosive acid environment.

2. Affect the normal flow of lubricating oil

Water will lead to the oil sludge, oil emulsification, these clumps of impurities suspended in the oil affect the normal flow of oil, in addition, these impurities will also accumulate plug in the bearing oil supply hole. Other hazards include filter plug. In cold weather, the water in the oil may freeze, which also causes poor oil flow and lack of oil in the machine.

3. Foam increase

Water will affect the surface tension of the oil, resulting in the increase of bubbles in the oil and foam on the oil surface. For general oil, only 1000ppm of water is needed in the oil, the foam problem will be very serious. The result is that a complete lubricating oil film cannot be formed on the metal surface, and a series of problems will occur: High oil temperature rise, intensified oxidation, metal cavitation and poor oil flow will cause damage to bearings. Bubble problems can sometimes affect the operation of the spilling-ring or oiler.

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