Chapter

Chapter11
11
Chapter 11
Rolling-Contact Bearings
Rolling-Contact Bearings
Rolling-Contact Bearings
Lecture Slides
Chapter Outline

11–1 Bearing Types 576

11–2 Bearing Life 579
11–3 Bearing Load Life at Rated Reliability 580
11–4 Reliability versus Life—The Weibull
Distribution 582
11–5 Relating Load, Life, and Reliability 583
11–6 Combined Radial and Thrust Loading 585
11–7 Variable Loading 590
11–8 Selection of Ball and Cylindrical Roller
Bearings 593

2
11–1 Bearing Types
• Rolling-Contact Bearing are useful to minimize the friction associated with relative
rotational motion. A typical application is supporting shafts

Ball Bearings

• Rolling Bearing

Roller Bearings

• Ball Bearings
Ball Bearings utilize balls as the rolling elements. They are characterised by point
contact between the balls and the raceways. As a rule, ball bearings rotate very quickly but
cannot support substantial loads.

• Roller Bearings
Roller Bearings are characterized by line contact. Line contact offers higher load rating than ball
bearings of the same size; however the speed ability is lower than a ball bearing due to the
increased friction of a contact line

3
 Nomenclature of a Ball Bearing

• Four essential parts: outer ring, inner ring, balls or rolling elements and separator

Source: Based on General Motors Corp., GM Media Archives 4

Types of Ball Bearings
• Deep-Groove Ball Bearings
The most commonly used bearings are Deep-Groove Ball
Bearings. Thanks to their simple design, they are easy to
maintain and not as sensitive to operating conditions thus
are used in a wide range of different applications. In
addition to radial forces, they absorb axial forces in both
directions. Their low torque also makes them suitable
for high speeds

• Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Angular Contact Ball Bearings are characterised by a contact
angle. This means that forces are transferred from
one raceway to the other at a particular angle. Angular-contact
ball bearings are therefore suitable for combined loads,
where high axial forces have to be transferred in addition
to radial forces.

5
• Self-Aligning Ball Bearings

Self-Aligning Ball Bearings include a double row of

balls guided by a cage and double row inner ring
raceway but have the special feature of a continuous
spherical outer ring raceway allowing the inner ring /
ball complement to swivel within the outer ring. This
is what enables a degree of self-alignment in the
[Link] type of bearing is recommended when
alignment of the shaft and the housing (misalignment)
are a problem and the shaft could deflect. Self-aligning
ball bearings are most suitable for absorbing radial
forces.

• Thrust Ball Bearings

Thrust Ball Bearings consist of two bearing
discs with raceways for the [Link] ball
bearings were developed solely for
absorbing axial forces in one
direction, meaning they can locate the shaft
axially in one direction

6
Types of Roller Bearings
• Cylindrical Roller Bearings
Cylindrical Roller Bearings use line contact
between the rolling elements and
the raceways, which optimizes the distribution
of stress factors at the point of contact. This
arrangement means that cylindrical roller
bearings have a very high radial load rating.
Depending on the design, they may also be able
to transmit limited amounts of axial loads

• Spherical Roller Bearings

Spherical Roller Bearings are very robust and
work on the same principle as Self-aligning
bearings with the exception that they use
spherical rollers instead of ball rollers allowing
higher loads to be supported. This can
compensate for misalignments between
the shaft and the housing. Spherical roller
bearings are suitable for absorbing high radial
loads and moderate axial loads
7
• Tapered Roller Bearings
Tapered Roller Bearings have tapered raceways in
the inner and outer rings with conical
rollers arranged between [Link] to the contact
angle, tapered roller bearings can absorb high
radial and axial forces in one direction.
Tapered roller bearings are often combined in pairs to
support axial forces in both directions.

• Needle Roller Bearings

Needle Roller Bearings are a special type
of cylindrical roller bearing which contain
long, thin rolling elements, known as needle
rollers. Needle roller bearings have a high load
rating and are only suitable for radial forces.
If space is constricted, needle bearings can be a
good solution

8
 11-2 Bearing Life
Definitions

Life: Number of revolutions (or hours @ given speed) required for failure.
• For one bearing.

Rating Life: Life required for 10% of sample to fail.

• For a group of bearings.
• Also called Minimum Life or L10 Life.

Median Life: Average life required for 50% of sample to fail.

• For many groups of bearings.
• Also called Average Life or Average Median Life.
• Median Life is typically 4 or 5 times the L10 Life.

9
11–3 Bearing Load Life at Rated Reliability

Load Rating Definitions 1

Catalog Load Rating, C10: Constant radial load that causes 10% of a group of bearings to
fail at the bearing manufacturer’s rating life.
• Depends on type, geometry, accuracy of fabrication, and material of bearing.
• Also called Basic Dynamic Load Rating, and Basic Dynamic Capacity.

Basic Load Rating, C: A catalog load rating based on a rating life of 106 revolutions of
the inner ring.
• The radial load that would be necessary to cause failure at such a low life is
unrealistically high.
• The Basic Load Rating is a reference value, not an actual load.

10
Load Rating Definitions 2

Static Load Rating, Co:

• The static load rating is the load at which permanent deformation of a race or ball
occurs

• The bearing is not rotating when this measurement is made

• Used to check for permanent deformation.

• Used in combining radial and thrust loads into an equivalent radial load.

Equivalent Radial Load, Fe:

Constant stationary load applied to bearing with rotating inner ring which gives the same
life as actual load and rotation conditions.

11
Load-Life Relationship 1

Nominally identical groups of bearings are tested to the life-failure criterion at different
loads.
A plot of load vs. life on log-log scale is approximately linear.
Using a regression equation
to represent the line,

FL1 a  constant (11 - 1)

• a = 3 for ball bearings

• a = 10/3 for roller bearings
(cylindrical and tapered roller.

Point on the line:

Rating Life, L10
Catalog Load Rating, C10

12
Representative Catalog Data for Ball Bearings (Table 11–2)
Dimensions and Load Ratings for Single-Row 02-Series Deep-Groove and Angular-Contact Ball Bearings
Shoulder Load Ratings, kN
Diameter, mm Deep Groove Angular Contact
Bore, Fillet
mm OD, mm Width,mm Radius,mm ds dH C10 C0 C10 C0
10 30 9 0.6 12.5 27 5.07 2.24 4.94 2.12
12 32 10 0.6 14.5 28 6.89 3.10 7.02 3.05
15 35 11 0.6 17.5 31 7.80 3.55 8.06 3.65
17 40 12 0.6 19.5 34 9.56 4.50 9.95 4.75
20 47 14 1.0 25 41 12.7 6.20 13.3 6.55
25 52 15 1.0 30 47 14.0 6.95 14.8 7.65
30 62 16 1.0 35 55 19.5 10.0 20.3 11.0
35 72 17 1.0 41 65 25.5 13.7 27.0 15.0
40 80 18 1.0 46 72 30.7 16.6 31.9 18.6
45 85 19 1.0 52 77 33.2 18.6 35.8 21.2
50 90 20 1.0 56 82 35.1 19.6 37.7 22.8
55 100 21 1.5 63 90 43.6 25.0 46.2 28.5
60 110 22 1.5 70 99 47.5 28.0 55.9 35.5
65 120 23 1.5 74 109 55.9 34.0 63.7 41.5
70 125 24 1.5 79 114 61.8 37.5 68.9 45.5
75 130 25 1.5 86 119 66.3 40.5 71.5 49.0
80 140 26 2.0 93 127 70.2 45.0 80.6 55.0
85 150 28 2.0 99 136 83.2 53.0 90.4 63.0
90 160 30 2.0 104 146 95.6 62.0 106 73.5
95 170 32 2.0 110 156 108 69.5 121 85.0
13
Representative Catalog Data for Cylindrical Roller Bearings
(Table 11–3)
02-Series 02-Series 03-Series 03-Series
Load Load Load Load
Rating, kN Rating, kN Rating, kN Rating, kN
Bore, mm OD, mm Width,mm C10 C0 OD, mm Width,mm C10 C0
25 52 15 16.8 8.8 62 17 28.6 15.0
30 62 16 22.4 12.0 72 19 36.9 20.0
35 72 17 31.9 17.6 80 21 44.6 27.1
40 80 18 41.8 24.0 90 23 56.1 32.5
45 85 19 44.0 25.5 100 25 72.1 45.4
50 90 20 45.7 27.5 110 27 88.0 52.0
55 100 21 56.1 34.0 120 29 102 67.2
60 110 22 64.4 43.1 130 31 123 76.5
65 120 23 76.5 51.2 140 33 138 85.0
70 125 24 79.2 51.2 150 35 151 102
75 130 25 93.1 63.2 160 37 183 125
80 140 26 106 69.4 170 39 190 125
85 150 28 119 78.3 180 41 212 149
90 160 30 142 100 190 43 242 160
95 170 32 165 112 200 45 264 189
100 180 34 183 125 215 47 303 220
110 200 38 229 167 240 50 391 304
120 215 40 260 183 260 55 457 340
130 230 40 270 193 280 58 539 408
140 250 42 319 240 300 62 682 454
150 270 45 446 260 320 65 781 502

14
Load-Life Relationship 2
Applying Eq. (11–1) to two load-life conditions,

F1 L1  F2 L2
1a 1a
(11 - 2)

Denoting condition 1 with R for catalog rating conditions, and condition 2 with D for the
desired design conditions,
FR LR  FD LD
1a 1a
(a )
The units of L are revolutions. If life is given in hours at a given speed n in rev/min,
applying a conversion of 60 min/h,

Solving Eq. (a) for FR, which is just another notation for the catalog load rating,

15
Load-Life Relationship 3

1a 1a
 LD   + D nD 60 
C10  FR  FD    FD   (11 - 3)
 R
L +
 R R 
n 60

The desired design load FD and life LD come from the problem statement.
The rated life LR will be stated by the specific bearing manufacturer. Many catalogs rate
at LR = 106 revolutions.
The catalog load rating C10 is used to find a suitable bearing in the catalog.

It is often convenient to define a dimensionless multiple of rating life

xD  LD LR

16
Example 11–1

Consider SKF, which rates its bearings for 1 million revolutions. If you desire a
life of 5000 h at 1725 rev/min with a load of 400 lbf with a reliability of 90
percent, for which catalog rating would you search in an SKF catalog?

Solution

17
11–4 Reliability versus Life—The Weibull Distribution
Reliability versus Life 1

At constant load, the life measure distribution is right skewed.

The Weibull distribution is a good candidate.
Defining the life measure in dimensionless form as x = L/L10, the reliability is expressed
with a Weibull distribution as

  x  x b 
R  exp    0
  (11 - 4)
    x0  

where R = reliability.
x = life measure dimensionless variate, L/L10.
x0 = guaranteed, or “minimum,” value of x.
θ = characteristic parameter. For rolling-contact bearings, this
corresponds to the 63.2121 percentile value of x.
b = shape parameter that controls the skewness. For rolling- contact
bearings, b ≈ 1.5.

18
11-5 Relating Load, Life, and Reliability 1

Catalog information is at point A, at coordinates C10 and x10=L10/L10=1, on the 0.90

reliability contour.
The design information is at point D, at coordinates FD and xD, on the R=RD reliability
contour.
The designer must move from point D to point A via point B.

Fig. 11–5
Access the text alternative for slide images.

19
 Relating Load, Life, and Reliability 2

• Along a constant reliability contour (BD)

FB x1B a  FD x1Da

20
Relating Load, Life, and Reliability 3

Substituting xB into Eq. (a),

1a
x 
1a
 xD 
FB  FD  D   FD  1b 
 xB   x0  (  x0 )  ln(1 RD )  

Noting that FB = C10, and including an application factor af,

1a
 xD 
C10  a f FD  1b 
(11 - 9)
 x0  (  x0 )  ln(1 RD )  
Note that when RD = 0.90, the denominator equals one and the equation reduces to Eq.
(11–3).

21
Weibull Parameters

The Weibull parameters x0, ϴ, and b are usually provided by the catalog.
Typical values of Weibull parameters are given on p. 601 at the beginning of the end-of-
chapter problems, and shown below.
Manufacturer 1 parameters are common for tapered roller bearings
Manufacturer 2 parameters are common for ball and straight roller bearings.

Weibull Parameters
Rating Lives
Rating Life,
Manufacturer Revolutions X0 ϴ b
1 90(106) 0 4.48 1.5
2 1(106) 0.02 4.459 1.483

22
Relating Load, Life, and Reliability 4

1a
 xD 
C10  a f FD  1b 
(11 - 9)
 x0  (  x0 )  ln(1 RD )  

Equation (11–9) can be simplified slightly for calculator entry. Note

that
1 1
ln  ln  ln(1  p f  )  p f  1  RD
RD 1 pf

where pf is the probability for failure

Thus Eq. (11–9) can be approximated by
1a
 xD 
C10  a f FD  1b 
R  0.90 (11 - 10)
 0
x  (  x0 )(1  RD ) 

23
Example 11–3

The design load on a ball bearing is 413 lbf and an application factor of 1.2 is
appropriate. The speed of the shaft is to be 300 rev/min, the life to be 30 kh with
a reliability of 0.99. What is the C10 catalog entry to be sought (or exceeded)
when searching for a deep-groove bearing in a manufacturer’s catalog on the
basis of 106 revolutions for rating life? The Weibull parameters are x0 = 0.02, (θ −
x0) = 4.439, and b = 1.483.
Solution
LD 60 + D nD 60(30000)300
xD    6
 540
LR L10 10

Thus, the design life is 540 times the L10 life. For a ball bearing, a = 3. Then,
from Equation (11–10),
13
 540 
C10  (1.2)(413)  1 1.483 
 6696 lbf Answer
 0.02  4.439(1  0.99) 

24
Combined Reliability of Multiple Bearings

If the combined reliability of multiple bearings on a shaft, or in a gearbox, is desired, then

the total reliability is equal to the product of the individual reliabilities.
For two bearings on a shaft, R = RARB
If the bearings are to be identical, each bearing should have a reliability equal to the
square root of the total desired reliability.
If the bearings are not identical, their reliabilities need not be identical, so long as the total
reliability is realized.

25
11-6 Combined Radial and Thrust Loading 1

When ball bearings carry both an axial thrust

load Fa and a radial load Fr, an equivalent
radial load Fe that does the same damage is
used.
A plot of Fe/(VFr) vs. Fa /(VFr) is obtained
experimentally.
V is a rotation factor to account for the
difference in ball rotations for outer ring
rotation vs. inner ring roation.

• V = 1 for inner ring rotation.

• V = 1.2 for outer ring rotation.

Fig. 11–6
Access the text alternative for slide images.

26
Combined Radial and Thrust Loading 2

The data can be approximated by two straight lines

Fe F
 1 when a  e
VFr VFr

Fe F F
 X  Y a when a  e
VFr VFr VFr

X is the ordinate intercept and Y is the

slope.
Basically indicates that Fe equals Fr for
smaller ratios of Fa/Fr, then begins to rise
when Fa/Fr exceeds some amount e.

Fig. 11–6

27
Combined Radial and Thrust Loading 3

It is common to express the two equations

as a single equation

Fe  X iVFr  Yi Fa (11 - 12)

where

i  1 when Fa (VFr )  e
i  2 when Fa (VFr )  e

X and Y factors depend on geometry and

construction of the specific bearing.

Fig. 11–6

28
Equivalent Radial Load Factors for Ball Bearings 1

Fe  X iVFr  Yi Fa (11 - 12)

X and Y for specific bearing obtained from bearing catalog.
Table 11–1 gives representative values in a manner common to many catalogs.
Table 11–1
Fa ∕ (VFr) ≤ e Fa ∕ (VFr) ≤ e Fa ∕ (VFr) > e Fa ∕ (VFr) > e
Fa ∕ C0 e X1 Y1 X2 Y2
0.014* 0.19 1.00 0 0.56 2.30
0.021 0.21 1.00 0 0.56 2.15
0.028 0.22 1.00 0 0.56 1.99
0.042 0.24 1.00 0 0.56 1.85
0.056 0.26 1.00 0 0.56 1.71
0.070 0.27 1.00 0 0.56 1.63
0.084 0.28 1.00 0 0.56 1.55
0.110 0.30 1.00 0 0.56 1.45
0.17 0.34 1.00 0 0.56 1.31
0.28 0.38 1.00 0 0.56 1.15
0.42 0.42 1.00 0 0.56 1.04
0.56 0.44 1.00 0 0.56 1.00
29
Equivalent Radial Load Factors for Ball Bearings 2

Fe  X iVFr  Yi Fa (11 - 9)
Fa ∕ (VFr) ≤ e Fa ∕ (VFr) ≤ e Fa ∕ (VFr) > e Fa ∕ (VFr) > e
Fa ∕ C0 E X1 Y1 X2 Y2
0.014* 0.19 1.00 0 0.56 2.30
0.021 0.21 1.00 0 0.56 2.15
0.028 0.22 1.00 0 0.56 1.99
0.042 0.24 1.00 0 0.56 1.85
0.056 0.26 1.00 0 0.56 1.71
0.070 0.27 1.00 0 0.56 1.63
0.084 0.28 1.00 0 0.56 1.55
0.110 0.30 1.00 0 0.56 1.45
0.17 0.34 1.00 0 0.56 1.31
0.28 0.38 1.00 0 0.56 1.15
0.42 0.42 1.00 0 0.56 1.04
0.56 0.44 1.00 0 0.56 1.00

X and Y are functions of e, which is a function of Fa /C0. Table 11–1

C0 is the basic static load rating, which is tabulated in the catalog.
30
Bearing Life Recommendations (Table 11–4)

Type of Application Life, kh

Instruments and apparatus for infrequent use Up to 0.5
Aircraft engines 0.5–2
Machines for short or intermittent operation where service 4–8
interruption is of minor importance
Machines for intermittent service where reliable operation 8–14
is of great importance
Machines for 8-h service that are not always fully utilized 14–20
Machines for 8-h service that are fully utilized 20–30
Machines for continuous 24-h service 50–60
Machines for continuous 24-h service where reliability is 100–200
of extreme importance

31
Recommended Load Application Factors (Table 11–5)

Type of Application Load Factor

Precision gearing 1.0–1.1
Commercial gearing 1.1–1.3
Applications with poor bearing seals 1.2
Machinery with no impact 1.0–1.2
Machinery with light impact 1.2–1.5
Machinery with moderate impact 1.5–3.0

32
Example 11–4 (1)

An SKF 6210 angular-contact ball bearing has an axial load Fa of 400 lbf and a
radial load Fr of 500 lbf applied with the outer ring stationary. The basic static
load rating C0 is 4450 lbf and the basic load rating C10 is 7900 lbf. Estimate the
life at a speed of 720 rev/min.

Solution

V = 1 and Fa ∕ C0 = 400∕4450 = 0.090. Interpolate for e in Table 11–1:

Fa ∕ C0 e
0.084 0.28
0.090 e from which e = 0.285
0.110 0.30

33
Example 11–4 (2)

Fa ∕ (VFr) = 400 ∕ [(1)500] = 0.8 > 0.285. Thus, interpolate for Y2:

Fa ∕ C0 Y2
0.084 1.55
0.090 Y2 from which Y2 = 1.527
0.110 1.45

From Equation (11–12),

Fe  X 2VFr  Y2 Fa  0.56(1)500  1.527(400)  890.8 lbf

Answer

34
11–8 Selection of Ball and Cylindrical Roller Bearings
Example 11–7 (1)
The second shaft on a parallel-shaft 25-hp foundry crane speed reducer contains a
helical gear with a pitch diameter of 8.08 in. Helical gears transmit components of
force in the tangential, radial, and axial directions (see Chapter 13). The
components of the gear force transmitted to the second shaft are shown in Figure
11–12, at point A. The bearing reactions at C and D, assuming simple-supports, are
also shown. A ball bearing is to be selected for location C to accept the thrust, and a
cylindrical roller bearing is to be utilized at location D. The life goal of the speed
reducer is 10 kh, with a reliability factor for the ensemble of all four bearings (both
shafts) to equal or exceed 0.96 for the Weibull parameters of Example 11–3. The
application factor is to be 1.2.
(a) Select the roller bearing for location D.
(b) Select the ball bearing (angular contact) for location C, assuming the inner ring
rotates.

35
Example 11–7 (2)

Fig. 11–12
Access the text alternative for slide images.

36
Example 11–7 (3)

Solution
The torque transmitted is T = 595(4.04) = 2404 lbf · in. The speed at the rated
horsepower, given by Equation (3–42), p. is
63025 H 63025(25)
nD    655.4 rev/min
T 2404
The radial load at D is 106.62  297.52  316.0 lbf, and the radial load at C is
356.62  297.52  464.4 lbf. The individual bearing reliabilities, if equal, must be
at least 4 0.96  0.98985  0.99. The dimensionless design life for both bearings is
LD 60 + D nD 60(10000)655.4
xD    6
 393.2
L10 L10 10

37
Example 11–7 (4)

(a) From Equation (11–10), the Weibull parameters of Example 11–3, an

application factor of 1.2, and a = 10 ∕ 3 for the roller bearing at D, the catalog
rating should be equal to or greater than
1a
 xD 
C10  a f FD  1b 
 0
x  (  x0 )(1  RD ) 
3 10
 393.2 
 1.2(316.0)  1 1.483 
 3591 lbf  16.0 kN
 0.02  4.439(1  0.99) 

The absence of a thrust component makes the selection procedure simple.

Choose a 02-25 mm series, or a 03-25 mm series cylindrical roller bearing from
Table 11–3.
Answer

38
Example 11–7 (5)

(b) The ball bearing at C involves a thrust component. This

selection procedure requires an iterative procedure. Assuming
Fa ∕ (VFr) > e,
1 Choose Y2 from Table 11–1.
2 Find C10.
3 Tentatively identify a suitable bearing from Table 11–2, note
C0.
4 Using Fa ∕C0 enter Table 11–1 to obtain a new value of Y2.
5 Find C10.
6 If the same bearing is obtained, stop.
7 If not, take next bearing and go to step 4.

39
Example 11–7 (6)

As a first approximation, take the middle entry from Table 11–1:

X 2  0.56 Y2  1.63.

From Equation (11–12), with V = 1,

Fe  XVFr  YFa  0.56(1)(464.4)  1.63(344)  821 lbf  3.65 kN

From Equation (11–10), with a = 3,

13
 393.2 
C10  1.2(3.65)  1 1.483 
 53.2 kN
 0.02  4.439(1  0.99) 

From Table 11–2, angular-contact bearing 02-60 mm has C10 = 55.9

kN. C0 is 35.5 kN.

40
Example 11–7 (7)

Step 4 becomes, with Fa in kN,

Fa 3.44(4.45)103
  0.0431
C0 35.5
which makes e from Table 11–1 approximately 0.24. Now Fa ∕ (VFr) = 344 ∕ [(1)
464.4] = 0.74, which is greater than 0.24, so we find Y2 by interpolation:
Fa ∕ C0 Y2
0.042 1.85
0.043 Y2 from which Y2 = 1.84
0.056 1.71

41
Example 11–7 (8)

From Equation (11–12),

Fe  0.56(1)(464.4)  1.84(344)  893 lbf  3.97 kN
The prior calculation for C10 changes only in Fe, so
3.97
C10  53.2  57.9 kN
3.65
From Table 11–2 an angular contact bearing 02-65 mm has C10 = 63.7 kN and C0
of 41.5 kN. Again,
Fa 344(4.45)103
  0.0369
C0 41.5
making e approximately 0.23. Now from before, Fa ∕ (VFr) = 0.74, which is
greater than 0.23. We find Y2 again by interpolation:
Fa ∕ C0 Y2
0.028 1.99
0.0369 Y2 from which Y2 = 1.90
0.042 1.85

42
Example 11–7 (9)

From Equation (11–12),

Fe  0.56(1)(464.4)  1.90(344)  914 lbf  4.07 kN

The prior calculation for C10 changes only in Fe, so

4.07
C10  53.2  59.3 kN
3.65
From Table 11–2 an angular-contact 02-65 mm is still selected, so
the iteration is complete. Answer

43