Journal Bearing Lubrication
Journal Bearing Lubrication
Journal Bearing Lubrication
Journal or plain bearings consist of a shaft or journal which rotates freely in a supporting metal sleeve or shell. There
are no rolling elements in these bearings. Their design and construction may be relatively simple, but the theory and
operation of these bearings can be complex. This article concentrates on oil- and grease-lubricated full fluid film
journal bearings; but first a brief discussion of pins and bushings, dry and semi-lubricated journal bearings, and tiltingpad bearings.
Low-speed pins and bushings are a form of journal bearing in which the shaft or shell generally does not make a full
rotation. The partial rotation at low speed, before typically reversing direction, does not allow for the formation of a full
fluid film and thus metal-to-metal contact does occur within the bearing. Pins and bushings continually operate in the
boundary lubrication regime. These types of bearings are typically lubricated with an extreme pressure (EP) grease to
aid in supporting the load. Solid molybdenum disulfide (moly) is included in the grease to enhance the load-carrying
capability of the lubricant. Many outdoor construction and mining equipment applications incorporate pins and
bushings. Consequently, shock loading and water and dirt contamination are often major factors in their lubrication.
Dry journal bearings consist of a shaft rotating in a dry sleeve, usually a polymer, which may be blended with solids
such as molybdenum, graphite, PTFE or nylon. These bearings are limited to low-load and low-surface speed
applications. Semi-lubricated journal bearings consist of a shaft rotating in a porous metal sleeve of sintered bronze or
aluminum in which lubricating oil is contained within the pores of the porous metal. These bearings are restricted to
low loads, low-to-medium velocity and temperatures up to 100C (210F).
Tilting-pad or pivoting-shoe bearings consist of a shaft rotating within a shell made up of curved pads. Each pad is
able to pivot independently and align with the curvature of the shaft. A diagram of a tilt-pad bearing is presented in
Figure 1. The advantage of this design is the more accurate alignment of the supporting shell to the rotating shaft and
1
the increase in shaft stability which is obtained. An article on tilting-pad bearings appeared in the MarchApril 2004
issue of Machinery Lubrication magazine.
Oil Lubrication
Oils are used in journal bearings when cooling is required or contaminants or debris need to be flushed away from the
bearing. High-speed journal bearings are always lubricated with oil rather than a grease. Oil is supplied to the bearing
by either a pressurized oil pump system, an oil ring or collar or a wick. Grooves in the bearing shell are used to
distribute the oil throughout the bearings surfaces.
The viscosity grade required is dependent upon bearing RPM, oil temperature and load. The bearing speed is often
measured strictly by the revolutions per minute of the shaft, with no consideration of the surface speed of the shaft, as
per the ndm values calculated for rolling bearings. for rolling bearings. Table 1 provides a general guideline to
selecting the correct ISO viscosity grade.
The ISO grade number indicated is the preferred grade for speed and temperature range. ISO 68- and 100-grade oils
are commonly used in indoor, heated applications, with 32-grade oils being used for high-speed (10,000 RPM) units
and some outdoor low-temperature applications. Note in the table that the higher the bearing speed, the lower the oil
viscosity required; and that the higher the operating temperature of the unit, the higher the oil viscosity that is required.
If vibration or minor shock loading is possible, a higher grade of oil than the one indicated in Table 1 should be
considered.
Bearing Speed
(rpm)
0 to 50
60
75
90
300 to 1,500
68
100 to 150
~1,800
32
32 to 46
68 to 100
100
~3,600
32
32
46 to 68
68 to 100
~10,000
32
32
32
32 to 46
Grease Lubrication
Grease is used to lubricate journal bearings when cooling of the bearing is not a factor, typically if the bearing
operates at relatively low speeds. Grease is also beneficial if shock loading occurs or if the bearing frequently starts
and stops or reverses direction. Grease is almost always used to lubricate pins and bushings because it provides a
thicker lubricant than oil to support static loads and to protect against vibration and shock-loading that are common in
many of these applications.
Lithium soap or lithium complex thickeners are the most common thickeners used in greases and are excellent for
most journal bearing applications. The grade of grease used is typically an NLGI grade #2 with a base oil viscosity of
approximately 150 to 220 cSt at 40C. Greases for low-speed, high-load, high temperatures and for pins and
bushings may use a higher viscosity base oil and be formulated with EP and solid additives. Greases for improved
water resistance may be formulated with heavier base oils, different thickeners and special additive formulations.
Greases for better low-temperature dispensing may incorporate a lower viscosity base oil manufactured to an NLGI #1
specification. Bearings lubricated by a centralized grease dispensing systems typically use a #1, 0 or 00 grade of
grease.
The apparent viscosity of grease changes with shear (pressure, load and speed) that is, greases are non-Newtonian
or thixotropic. Within a rotating journal bearing, as the bearing rotates faster (shear rate increases), the apparent
viscosity of the grease decreases and approaches the viscosity of the base oil used in grease. At both ends of the
bearing shell, the pressure is lower and therefore the apparent viscosity remains higher. The resulting thicker grease
at the bearing ends acts as a built-in seal to reduce the ingression of contaminants.
Greasing Procedures
The greasing procedures for journal bearings and pins and bushings are not as well-defined or as critical as for rolling
bearings because the grease is not subjected to the churning action created by the rolling elements. The volume of
grease to inject and the frequency of application are dictated more by trial and error. Generally, most journal bearings
cannot be overgreased. Caution must be taken when pumping grease into a bearing that is fitted with seals, so they
are not damaged or displaced by the force and volume of the incoming grease. The harshness of the environment,
shock loading and especially the operating temperature will be major factors in determining the frequency of
relubrication.
Journal bearings are generally a simpler design and not as difficult to lubricate as rolling element bearings. The proper
viscosity matched to the operating conditions and a clean and dry lubricant will usually suffice to form a full fluid
lubricating film and provide excellent bearing life.
References