CAT.NO.

B3001E
Ball & Roller 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

3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

1 Flaking, Pitting ___________ 5 5 Scratches and Scuffing ___ 9 9 Creep __________________ 13

2 Wear and Fretting ________ 6 6 Rust and Corrosion ______ 10 10 Electric pitting __________ 14
3 Cracks and Chips ________ 7 7 Pear skin, Discoloration __ 11 11 Seizure _________________ 15
4 Brinelling and Nicks ______ 8 8 Smearing _______________ 12 12 Failure of Cage __________ 16

– Rolling bearing: Description of each part –

Outer ring（Cup） Outer ring front face

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

（a）Deep groove ball bearing （c）Tapered roller bearing

Outer ring Outer ring

（Cylindrical）Roller Center rib

Inner ring Inner ring raceway surface Inner ring
Inner ring
raceway surface
Rib
Guide rib face Roller filling slot
Guide rib face
Small rib
Cage （Spherical）Roller
Rolling surface
（Machined cage with rivet） Rolling surface
Cage
Rivet Roller end face （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
（ ） Cr p
L : Rated service life, 106 rotations
L＝
t Contamination by foreign matter during installation P Lh : Rated service life, h

60 （ P ）
y Abnormally heavy load 10 C 6 p
Cr : Basic dynamic load rating, N
L＝
h
r

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

Inappropriate Faulty design of shaft, Improper lubricant, Defect in Mis-mounting Defect in sealing device,
use of housing or other lubrication method bearings of bearings contamination of water, dust
Causes
Time of bearings installation aspects or or sealing device or other foreign matters, or
fracture occurrence improper processing shortage of 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
(5) Fracture occurring during
normal operation ○ ○ ○

1
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.）
2. Creep on bearing ring Replace with a new bearing.（Correct interference.）

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

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

2. Electric pitting bearings.）

Repair bearings or replace with new ones.（Prevent electricity
Excessively loud noise or foreign noise

from passing through bearings by modifying their design.）

intervals

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

（s）
ring
4. Flaking of raceway surface Replace with a new bearing.
5. Receway surface roughened Repair bearings or replace with new ones.
（s）
by foreign matter
metallic noise

1. Excessively narrow internal Replace with a new bearing or widen internal clearance.
Noise at nonuniform High-pitched

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

1. Contamination by foreign Change to proper lubricant.

（s）
matter
2. Contact with another rolling Remounting or modify parts.
part

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

intervals

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

1. Contamination by foreign Change to proper lubricant.

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

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

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

2
 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)
Failures Failure 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 ring Cage
· Roller guide surface
Bearing failure · Raceway surface · Pocket surface
· Cage guide surface · Others · Fitting surface · Rivet
· Rolling surface · Guide surface
· Roller end face
Flaking, Pitting × − − − − −
Wear ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ×
Fretting ○ − − ○ − −
Cracks × × × × × ×
Chips × × ○ × × ×
Brinelling ○ ○ ○ ○ − −
Nicks ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Scratches ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Scuffing ○ ○ ○ ○ − −
Rust ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Corrosion ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Pear skin ○ − − − − −
Discoloration ○ ○ ○ ○ − −
Smearing ○ ○ − − − −
Creep − − − ○ − −
Electric pitting ○ ○ − − ○ −
Seizure × × × × × −
Failure of cage − − − − ○ ×
Notes） × : In principle, not reusable.
○ : Reusable in accordance with seriousnes of failure, by repairing or meeting required conditions.
− : No failure of this part.

3
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

Failure Cause Sketches of failures

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）
Flaking

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 Fig.1 Flaking along circumference on one side.
bearing ring on fixed side （Fig. 3） angle (Deep Groove Ball Bearing)
Partial flaking on thrust bearing Eccentric mounting

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

initial stage of flaking
Scratches, Scuffing

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

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 Fig.3 Flaking in the form of an oblique line.
（Fig. 5） bearing (Deep Groove Ball Bearing)
Cracks, Chips

Cracks or chips of inner ring or outer ring Advanced stage of flaking, improper 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, Fig.4 Scuffing on roller end face and guide rib
advanced stage of wear face. (Cylindrical Roller Bearing)
Creep

Creep on inner/outer rings Insufficient interference

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

hardness, contamination by foreign matter （s）,
shortage of lubricant, improper lubrication
Wear

Wear caused by creep Creep

Fig.5 Cracks and/or chips on inner ring or roller.
(Spherical Roller Bearing)
Wear on cage （s）, improper
Contamination by foreign matter
lubrication, inclined bearing
Rust, Corrosion

Rust on inner ring bore surface or outer Fretting, water, humidity

ring O.D. surface

Rust covering whole bearing surface, Defective washing oil or lubricant, water,
corrosion humidity
Fig.6 False brinelling on inner ring.
(Deep Groove Ball Bearing)
False brinelling Progressing stage of flaws caused by load from
vibration when machine is not running.
（Fig. 6）
Others

Fluting on raceway surface or roller rolling Passage of electricity

surface
（Fig. 7）
Discoloration Heat generation, chemical action Fluting Pitting
Fig.7 Type of Electric pitting.

4
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

1 Flaking, Pitting

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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

Phenomena

service life is near.

(A-6977)
● Pitting is a phenomena in which small holes 0.1 mm in depth
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.

(A-7024)
Flaking and pitting occur early in a bearing's service life
under the following conditions:
1）During operation, bearing internal clearance becomes
narrower than specified. ■ Flaking on outer ring of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing

2）Bearing ring is mounted at an inclination by mistake.

3）Flaw is created during mounting, or brinelling, nicks, rust,
Causes

etc. occur on the raceway surface or rolling surface.

4）Inaccurate shape of shaft or housing（imperfect circle,
depressions on surface.）

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

■ Flaking
a）Use a bearing with heavier rated load.
(A-6644, 6645)

b）Check if abnormal load is being generated.

c）Improve lubrication method to ensure better formation of
Countermeasures

lubricant film, by increasing the viscosity.

d）When a failure is discovered at an early stage, the
countermeasures described above should be taken, after
■ Flaking on inner ring of Spherical Roller Bearing
investigating the causes.
● Pitting
a）Increase viscosity of lubricant to ensure better formation
of lubricant film.

（Care should be taken because foreign matters appear

(A-6476)

similar to holes caused by brinelling or corrosion.）

5
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

2 Wear and Fretting

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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.
Phenomena

● Fretting is a phenomena which occurs when slight sliding is

repeatedly caused on the contact surface.

(A-4718)
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.

■ Wear

(A-6714)
1）Improper lubricant or shortage of lubricant.
（s）
2）Contamination by foreign matter . ● Fretting on inner ring bore surface of Tapered Roller Bearing
● Fretting
1）Vibration load.
2）Slight vibration on fitting surface caused by load.
Causes

(A-6649)
● Fretting on outer ring O.D. surface of Deep Groove Ball Bearing
Vertical fretting at symmetric positions 180º apart.

■ Wear
a）Review and improvement of lubricant and lubrication
method.
(A-6735)

b）Filtering of oil.
Countermeasures

c）Improvement of sealing.
● Fretting ▲ False brinelling on inner ring raceway surface
of Deep Groove Ball Bearing
a）Investigation and countermeasures for the source of
vibration.
b）Investigation and increase of interference.
c）Enhancement of shaft rigidity.
(A-7278)

6
3 Cracks and Chips

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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.
Phenomena

(A-6395)
■ Crack on outer ring of Four-Point Contact Ball Bearing
Crack starting from key groove on O.D. surface.

■ Cracks

(A-6625)
1）Heavy load.
2）Excessively heavy internal load caused by improper
installation. ■ Crack in outer ring of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing
3）Excessive interference at fitting, or shaft and housing of
improper shape.
Causes

4）Instantaneous heat generation of bearing caused by

sudden sliding at rolling surface, sliding surface or fitting
surface.
5）Abnormal heat is generated due to shortage of lubricant.

(A-6626)
● Chips
1）Abnormally heavy axial load or impact load.
2）Partial impact of hammer or other tool used when bearing
● Chip in outer ring rib of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
is mounting or dismounting.

■ Cracks
a）Investigation followed by countermeasures for excessively
heavy load.
(A-6555)

b）Removal of thermal impact.

Countermeasures

c）Improvement of interference（decrease of interference.）

● Chips
● Chip in outer ring rib of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
a）Improvement of mounting and dismounting procedures.
b）Improvement of handling method.
c）Investigation followed by countermeasures for excessively
heavy load.
(A-6658)

7
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

4 Brinelling and Nicks

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

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

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

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

■ Brinelling on inner ring raceway surface

of Tapered Roller Bearing

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

(A-6617)
to bearing.
2）Solid foreign matter caught in bearing parts.

● Nicks
Causes

1）Faulty bearing mounting or dismounting.

2）Mis-handling of bearings.

■ Brinelling
a）Investigation followed by countermeasures for excessively
heavy load or impact.
b）Enhancement of sealing capability.
Countermeasures

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.

8
5 Scratches and Scuffing

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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.
Phenomena

(A-6451, 6453)
1）Flaw in the axial direction（flaw occurring in mounting）
In the mounting of bearings whose outer rings and inner
rings are separable, a flaw in the axial direction is
sometimes caused by contact with the edge of rollers or
raceway surfaces. ■ Scratch on roller rolling surface of Cylindrical Roller Bearing
These are referred to as flaws in the axial direction. Scratch occurring in circumference direction.

2）Scuffing on roller end face and rib face

Cycloidal flaws can occur on the roller end or rib face of
the bearing ring, which guides rollers.
Flaws such as scratches, which occur on these parts are
called scuffing.

（1）Flaw generated during mounting.

(A-6452)
1）Careless handling in mounting or dismounting.
（2）Scuffing on roller end face and rib face. ■ Scratch on outer ring raceway surface of Double-Row
1）Improper lubrication at contact face. Cylindrical Roller Bearing Roller which slides when running.

2）Excessive preload.
3）Intrusion of foreign matter.
Causes

4）Abnormal axial load.

（3）Scratches and scuffing on raceway surface and rolling
surface.

(A-6470)
1）Improper rotation of rolling element.
2）Improper lubrication.
3）Intrusion of foreign matter. ● Scuffing on inner ring bore surface of Tapered Roller Bearing

（1）Flaw generated during mounting.

a）Improvement in operations involved in mounting and
dismounting.
（Implementation of accurate center adjustment.）
(A-6736)

（2）Scuffing on roller end face and rib face.

Countermeasures

a）Review and improvement of lubricant and lubrication ● Scuffing on inner ring rib face and roller and face
method. of Cylindrical Roller Bearing with rib
b）Inspection and countermeasures for abnormal load.
c）Enhancement of sealing capability.
（3）Scratches and scuffing on raceway surface and rolling
surface.
a）Review and improvement of lubricant and lubrication
method.
(A-6669)

b）Enhancement of sealing capability.

c）Sufficient cleaning of shaft and housing.

9
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

6 Rust and Corrosion

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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 row.
a metallic surface by chemical action.

● Corrosion is the phenomena of oxidation or dissolution

occurring on the surface and is produced by chemical action
Phenomena

（electric chemical action including combination or cell

restructuring）with acid or alkali.

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

■ Rust

(A-6472)
1）When equipment is stopped and its temperature
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.
2）When bearings are stored in a humid place for a long time,
Causes

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

(A-6479)
temperature.
2）Corrosion occurs when water gets inside bearings. ■ Rust on inner and outer rings and on roller
of Tapered Roller Bearing Rust on roller pitch of one row.

■ Rust ● Corrosion
a）Enhancement of sealing capability.
b）Periodic inspection of lubricant.
c）Provision for adequate rust prevention during storage of
(A-7130)
Countermeasures

bearings.

■ Rust on outer ring raceway surface of Tapered Roller Bearing

(A-7051)

10
7 Pear skin, Discoloration

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ Pear skin is a condition of the rolling surface where small ■ Pear skin on inner ring raceway surface
of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing
depressions are created entirely as a result of many foreign
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
Phenomena

by heat.

(A-6556)
● Discoloration is a phenomena in which the bearing surface is
discolored by staining or heat generated during operation.
■ Pear skin on inner ring raceway surface
of Deep Groove Ball Bearing

■ Pear skin

(A-6960)
Since pear skin is mainly caused by contamination by foreign
matter or lack of lubricant, these two points should be
● Discoloration on ball surface of Deep Groove Ball Bearing
inspected most carefully.

● Discoloration
Causes

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

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

■ Pear skin
a）Careful washing of shaft and housing.
b）Enhancement of sealing capability.
c）Filtering of oil.
(A-6725)

d）Review of lubricant and lubrication method.

Countermeasures

● Discoloration
Discoloration can be classified as follows: staining, electric ● Discoloration on inner ring and roller of Tapered Roller Bearing
Staining
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
electric discharge. If unevenness remains on the surface after
wiping with sand paper, the phenomena are judged to be rust
and corrosion. If unevenness is completely removed, the
phenomena is judged to be temper color caused by heat.
a）Improvement of heat dissipation from bearings.
(A-6982)

b）Improvement of lubrication.
c）Review followed by countermeasures for bearing operating
conditions.

11
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

8 Smearing

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ Smearing is a phenomena where minute seizure is concentrated ■ Smearing on inner ring raceway surface
of Deep Groove Ball Bearing
on the rolling surface.
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.
Phenomena

(A-6640)
■ Smearing on ball surface

1）Smearing occurs if the oil film disappears as rolling

(A-6641)
elements stop rotating due to inappropriate use or
improper lubrication, and then start to slide on the
raceway surface. ■ Smearing on inner ring raceway surface of Angular Ball Bearing
2）In ball bearings, smearing is caused by sliding or spinning
of balls; and, in roller bearings, smearing tends to occur
when the roller enters into on from the load zone.
Causes

(A-6642)
■ Smearing on outer ring raceway surface
of Cylindrical Roller Bearing

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.
(A-7435)

（by diminishing mounting clearance.）

Countermeasures

■ Smearing on roller rolling surface of Cylindrical Roller Bearing

(A-6480)

12
9 Creep

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

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

(A-6726)
■ Creep of Deep Groove Ball Bearing outer ring

(A-6957)
Creep occurs when interference is too small in relation to the
heat or load generated during operation.

■ Creep of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing inner ring

Causes

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

Review of interference between inner ring and shaft and

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

13
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

10 Electric pitting

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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,
Phenomena

which the rolling contact surface propagates. Depressions

like craters can be observed when pitting is magnified,

(A-6652)
indicating that the surface has been melted by sparks.
・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

(A-6653)
through the bearing.

■ Electric pitting on Cylindrical Roller Bearing inner ring

Causes

(A-5180)
■ 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.
(A-6651)
Countermeasures

■ Fluting on Spherical Roller Rolling surface

(A-6409, 6650)

14
11 Seizure

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

■ 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;
Phenomena

as a result, the bearing can no longer rotate.

・Once seizure occurs, the bearing cannot be used again

(A-6457)
because the hardness has deteriorated and smooth rotation is
impossible on the rough surface.
■ Seizure of Cylindrical Roller Bearing with rib

Seizure results from abnormal heat generated by improper

(A-6464)
lubrication, excessive preload, or improper contact of rolling
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

(A-6679)

Causes should be investigated; and appropriate counter-

measures corresponding to the results should be taken.
Countermeasures

15
 3. Failures, Causes and Countermeasures

12 Failure of Cage

Phenomena, causes and countermeasures Examples of failures

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

(A-6455)
accuracy may decrease.
And the motion of the rolling element is consequently
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
Phenomena

that it is also occurring on the bearing ring and rolling

element.
4）Wear
As described in Section 2 , cages under the following
conditions can no longer be used because proper rotation

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

(A-7026)
● 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.
(A-6481)

b）Provision of adequate rust prevention during storage of

bearings
4）Wear
a）Improper lubricant or shortage of lubricant ... ● Rust on Tapered Roller bearing cage
Investigation followed by countermeasures
involving lubricant and lubrication method.
b）Contamination by foreign matter ... Improvement of
sealing capability.
5）Looseness and Cut-Off of Rivet
a）Improper bearing mounting ... Reduction of bearing
inclination.
(A-7131)

b）Severe load or vibration ... Consultation with Koyo.

16
 GLOBAL NETWORK
BEARING BUSINESS OPERATIONS

JTEKT CORPORATION NAGOYA HEAD OFFICE PHILIPPINE KOYO BEARING CORPORATION

No.7-1, Meieki 4-chome, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 450-8515, 6th Floor, One World Square Building, #10 Upper McKinley
JAPAN Road, McKinley Town Center Fort Bonifacio, 1634 Taguig City,
TEL : 81-52-527-1900 PHILIPPINES
FAX : 81-52-527-1911 TEL : 63-2-856-5046/5047
FAX : 63-2-856-5045
JTEKT CORPORATION OSAKA HEAD OFFICE
No.5-8, Minamisemba 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-8502, JTEKT KOREA CO., LTD.
JAPAN Seong-do Bldg 13F, 207, Dosan-Dearo, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul,
TEL : 81-6-6271-8451 KOREA
FAX : 81-6-6245-3712 TEL : 82-2-549-7922
Sales & Marketing Headquarters FAX : 82-2-549-7923
No.5-8, Minamisemba 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-8502,
JAPAN JTEKT (CHINA) CO., LTD.
TEL : 81-6-6245-6087 Room.25A2, V-CAPITAL Building, 333 Xianxia Road, Changning
FAX : 81-6-6244-9007 District, Shanghai 200336, CHINA
TEL : 86-21-5178-1000
FAX : 86-21-5178-1008
OFFICES KOYO AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
KOYO CANADA INC. Unit 2, 8 Hill Road, Homebush Bay, NSW 2127, AUSTRALIA
5324 South Service Road, Burlington, Ontario L7L 5H5, CANADA TEL : 61-2-8719-5300
TEL : 1-905-681-1121 FAX : 61-2-8719-5333
FAX : 1-905-681-1392
JTEKT EUROPE BEARINGS B.V.
JTEKT NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION Markerkant 13-01, 1314 AL Almere, THE NETHERLANDS
-Main Office- TEL : 31-36-5383333
47771 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170, U.S.A. FAX : 31-36-5347212
TEL : 1-734-454-1500 -Benelux Branch Office-
FAX : 1-734-454-7059 Energieweg 10a, 2964 LE, Groot-Ammers, THE NETHERLANDS
-Cleveland Office- TEL : 31-184606800
29570 Clemens Road, P.O.Box 45028, Westlake, FAX : 31-184606857
OH 44145, U.S.A.
TEL : 1-440-835-1000 KOYO KULLAGER SCANDINAVIA A.B.
FAX : 1-440-835-9347 Johanneslundsvägen 4, 194 61 Upplands Väsby, SWEDEN
TEL : 46-8-594-212-10
KOYO MEXICANA, S.A. DE C.V. FAX : 46-8-594-212-29
Av. Insurgentes Sur 2376-505, Col. Chimalistac, Del. Álvaro
Obregón, C.P. 01070, México, D.F. KOYO (U.K.) LIMITED
TEL : 52-55-5207-3860 Whitehall Avenue, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 0AX,
FAX : 52-55-5207-3873 UNITED KINGDOM
TEL : 44-1908-289300
KOYO LATIN AMERICA, S.A. FAX : 44-1908-289333
Edificio Banco del Pacifico Planta Baja, Calle Aquilino de la
Guardia y Calle 52, Panama, REPUBLICA DE PANAMA KOYO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
TEL : 507-208-5900 Bargkoppelweg 4, D-22145 Hamburg, GERMANY
FAX : 507-264-2782/507-269-7578 TEL : 49-40-67-9090-0
FAX : 49-40-67-9203-0
KOYO ROLAMENTOS DO BRASIL LTDA.
Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 1744 - 1st Floor - CJ. 11 São KOYO FRANCE S.A.
Paulo - SP - Brazil CEP 01451-001 6 avenue du Marais, BP20189, 95105 Argenteuil, FRANCE
TEL : 55-11-3372-7500 TEL : 33-1-3998-4202
FAX : 55-11-3887-3039 FAX : 33-1-3998-4244/4249

KOYO MIDDLE EAST FZE KOYO IBERICA, S.L.

6EA 601, Dubai Airport Free Zone, P.O. Box 54816, Dubai, U.A.E. Avda.de la Industria, 52-2 izda 28820 Coslada Madrid, SPAIN
TEL : 97-1-4299-3600 TEL : 34-91-329-0818
FAX : 97-1-4299-3700 FAX : 34-91-747-1194

KOYO BEARINGS INDIA PVT. LTD. KOYO ITALIA S.R.L.

C/o Stylus Commercial Services PVT LTD, Ground Floor, The Via Stephenson 43/a 20157 Milano, ITALY
Beech, E-1, Manyata Embassy Business Park, Outer Ring Road, TEL : 39-02-2951-0844
Bengaluru-560045, INDIA FAX : 39-02-2951-0954
TEL : 91-80-4276-4567 (Reception Desk of Service Office) -Romanian Representative Office-
FAX : 91-80-4276-4568 24, Lister Street, ap. 1, sector 5, Bucharest, ROMANIA
TEL : 40-21-410-4182
JTEKT (THAILAND) CO., LTD. FAX : 40-21-410-1178
172/1 Moo 12 Tambol Bangwua, Amphur Bangpakong,
Chachoengsao 24180, THAILAND
TEL : 66-38-533-310~7
FAX : 66-38-532-776
PT. JTEKT INDONESIA
Jl. Surya Madya Plot I-27b, Kawasan Industri Surya Cipta,
Kutanegara, Ciampel, Karawang Jawa Barat, 41363 Indonesia
TEL : 62-267-8610-270
FAX : 62-267-8610-271
KOYO SINGAPORE BEARING (PTE.) LTD.
27, Penjuru Lane, Level 5, Phase 1 Warehouse #05-01.
SINGAPORE 609195
TEL : 65-6274-2200
FAX : 65-6862-1623

2015.5
CAT.NO.B3001E
Printed in Japan '15.5-2CDS（'92.4）