Bearing cage failure: causes and preventive strategies

The main factors causing bearing cage failure include insufficient lubrication, installation errors, foreign object intrusion, load exceeding the rated value, torque overload, high or unstable operating speed, poor lubrication conditions, external impurity pollution, strong working environment vibration, improper installation operation, and abnormal high temperature.

To comprehensively understand and solve the problem of bearing cage failure, it is necessary to start from multiple perspectives. Firstly, lubrication is the key to maintaining the normal operation of bearings. Reasonable lubrication can not only prolong the life of bearings, but also reduce noise. If proper lubrication is lacking, the interior of the cage may become dry, exacerbating wear and tear. In addition, incorrect operations during the installation process are equally important, such as improper installation leading to damage to the retaining frame and other issues. When hard objects or impurities enter the bearing, it will increase the friction between the cage and the outer ring, which may cause damage to the bearing structure. And loads beyond the bearing capacity (such as excessive pre tension or high temperature) will also increase the rotational resistance of the cage, intensify wear, and ultimately lead to its fracture.

In addition, severe vibrations in the work environment, incorrect installation methods or steps, and abnormal temperature rise of bearings are all important factors leading to the fracture of the cage. In order to effectively prevent these problems from occurring, appropriate bearing models should be selected based on actual working conditions, lubrication should be regularly checked, and suitable lubrication methods and lubricants should be used; Reasonably select the material and type of the cage, and pay attention to the specific details and usage standards of bearing installation.

In terms of surface treatment, partially quenched high-speed steel components can be subjected to local heat treatment through laser, electron beam, or induction hardening to form a hardened layer; Chemical heat treatment methods, such as carbon or nitrogen infiltration, can also be used to slightly adjust the carbon content of the material, thereby enhancing surface hardness and generating compressive stress, thereby improving fatigue resistance and slowing down crack propagation rate.