Bearings are precision transmission components designed to operate steadily within a specified temperature range. In industrial practice , however , bearing overheating is common and carries serious risks such as: shortened bearing life , metal deformation , burnt lubricating grease and even bearing fracture causing sudden machine stoppage.
Understanding the causes of high temperature and how to correct it effectively helps businesses reduce incidents and improve the reliability of rotating equipment systems.
I. Signs of Bearing Overheating
- The bearing housing feels unusually hot to the touch or when measured with an IR (infrared) sensor
- Lubricating grease becomes liquid , changes color , or emits smoke
- Whistling or increased vibration appears
- The motor consumes more power than usual
II. Causes of High Bearing Temperature
1. Incorrect or insufficient lubrication
- Using grease/oil unsuitable for operating speed and temperature
- Grease is dry , water-contaminated , dust-contaminated , or expired
👉 Consequence: Increased sliding friction → high heat generation → damage to the metal structure
2. Incorrect installation
- Press-fitting the bearing too tightly without aligning it concentrically
- This creates mechanical friction resistance and increases internal temperature
3. Operation above the design load or speed
- Load exceeds the limit → increased contact pressure
- Bearing speed exceeds the maximum → increased centrifugal friction
4. Obstructed heat dissipation
- Poorly ventilated installation space
- No cooling or heat-dissipation system for the bearing assembly
5. Contamination and internal damage
- Metal fragments and dirt enter the bearing
- This creates abnormal contact points and local friction
III. Solutions for Overheated Bearings
✅ 1. Check and replace the lubricant
- Choose the correct type of suitable grease:
- SKF LGHP 2: high-temperature , high-speed grease
- SKF LGWA 2: heavy-load grease for humid or shock conditions
- Apply the automatic lubrication system such as SKF SYSTEM 24 to ensure accurate metering
✅ 2. Check installation conditions
- Use specialized bearing installation tools: SKF TMFT 36 , TIH series heater
- Recheck installation clearance (clearance) and shaft-to-housing concentricity
✅ 3. Keep load and speed within design limits
- Review bearing specifications: dynamic load , static load , and maximum speed
If the machine exceeds these limits , switch to a specialized or higher-load bearing
✅ 4. Improve heat dissipation
- Increase ventilation around the bearing assembly
- Add an oil cooler , a fan , or forced-cooling pipes
✅ 5. Monitor temperature in real time
- Install temperature sensors (PT100 , RTD) and integrate a monitoring system
- Apply predictive maintenance (Predictive Maintenance) with systems such as SKF IMx-8 , ProCollect
Where to buy SKF bearings and grease?
If you are looking for a reputable source of genuine SKF bearings and grease , LDT Company is a leading supplier of high-quality lubricating oil and grease products. We are committed to supplying genuine products that deliver optimal lubrication performance for industrial machinery and equipment.
Dear customers , please contact LDT using the information below for consultation and special offers!
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Address: 121-123 To Hieu Street , Nguyen Trai Ward , Ha Dong District , Hanoi , Vietnam
Sales hotline: Mr Toan: 0948.068.692
Fan page:https://www.facebook.com/BoitroncongnghiepSKF?ref=embed_page
