An Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Seal Strictness on Ball Bearing Performance

Abstract

Rubber-based ball bearing seals are widely used in the bearing industry. These seals affect the performance of the ball bearings and endurance life as well. Effect of rolling bearing seal strictness value on bearing performance was investigated experimentally and numerically in this study. Four different seal strictness rolling bearing samples were manufactured for the tests. The bearing seal strictness which is used in tests are given respectively; 200 μm, 160 μm, 105 μm, 45 μm and contactless. First; friction torque test was performed without loading and bearings were rotated at 3000 rpm for one hour. Temperature values and friction generation in bearings against rotation were measured throughout the tests. Second; temperature tests have been carried out; roll bearings were rotated at 6000 rpm for one hour and 2000 N radial load was applied to samples. 5 samples for each test have been used. The contact reaction force between the region of inner ring and rubber seal inner lip was modeled by means of the finite element method and designed in ANSYS Workbench. ANSYS results and friction moment test results have been evaluated and compared. It is observed that as the strictness increases, the friction force and temperature increase, but this affects the life cycle of ball bearing negatively. It has been seen that the numeric results are consistent with the test results.