How to Determine the Amount of Bearing Grease to Apply?
In mechanical equipment maintenance, the amount of bearing grease applied is a key factor affecting bearing life, operating efficiency, and equipment stability. Too much or too little grease can cause abnormal temperature rise, increased wear, and higher energy consumption.
I. Why is the amount of bearing grease so important?
Controlling the correct amount of bearing grease can effectively achieve the following goals:
Reduce friction and wear; decrease bearing temperature rise; extend bearing service life; improve operating efficiency and reduce energy consumption; prevent grease leakage, grease throw-off, or dry friction.
Therefore, it is extremely important to master the correct grease filling amount during maintenance and assembly.
II. What is the standard amount of bearing grease?
Generally, the amount of grease applied is not “the more, the better.” Standard industry guidelines are:
Deep groove ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings: fill 20%–30% of the internal bearing space.
High-speed bearings: recommended filling amount is around 15%–20%.
Low-speed heavy-load bearings: can be increased appropriately to 30%–40%.
Why not fill it completely? Because too much grease increases churning resistance, raises bearing temperature, and may even cause early failure.
III. Adjusting grease quantity for different application environments
To ensure better operating performance, the amount of grease should be adjusted based on actual working conditions:
| High-speed operation scenarios | Reduce grease amount to 10%–20%; excessive grease will cause temperature rise and reduced speed. |
|---|---|
| Low-speed heavy-load equipment | Increase grease amount appropriately to 30%–40%; focus on improving lubrication film thickness and load-carrying capacity. |
| High-temperature environments | Choose high-temperature-resistant grease; avoid excessive filling to prevent grease softening and throwing. |
IV. Frequently Asked Questions about Bearing Grease Amount
1. How much bearing grease is appropriate?
Generally 20%–30% of the internal bearing cavity volume; high-speed bearings require reduced filling.
2. What happens if there is too much grease?
It increases churning resistance, raises temperature, causes grease throw-off, and reduces efficiency.
3. Is there a calculation formula for grease quantity?
Yes. A commonly used formula is: Grease amount ≈ 0.005 × D × B (g)
Properly controlling the amount of bearing grease is an important step in ensuring stable bearing operation and extending service life.
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