Get a grip on grease

More than 80 per cent of all rolling bearings are lubricated with grease, so it is critical for engineers to select the most appropriate type of lubricant for the bearing, and the application in which it is operating. For correct selection will not only prolong the life of the bearing, enabling it to operate at its full capacity, but also ensure smoother running and improved operational safety.

But choosing a suitable lubricant can be a complex process. Grease is a type of oil with a thickening agent added to it, making it more viscous.

There are many different types of grease available, so engineers should take the time to make more informed selections to help ensure a long and trouble-free life for the bearing.

Greases can be used effectively to lubricate bearings over a very wide range of operating conditions. However, initial selection is based on two critical parameters.

First, the P/C ratio, which is a measure of the load P on the bearing in relation to the dynamic capacity C, which is calculated according to international standards and quoted by all leading bearing manufacturers in their technical literature.