Influence of operating speed on the thermo-mechanical behaviour of cylindrical roller bearing

The high load-bearing ability of cylindrical roller bearing made its usage in rotating machinery popular. However, the performance of this bearing is impeded by the contact stress, stiffness and the temperature rise experienced operation. In this study, the thermomechanical behaviour of martensitic stainless steel (X20) fabricated roller bearing with polyamide pin type cage subjected to different rotating/operating speeds was simulated using finite element analysis software, Abaqus. The outcome of the analyses shows that the temperature, heat flux, contact or Hertzian stress and frictional energy developed in the bearing during operation increases with a corresponding increase in speed. It was further observed that a slight increase in the operating speed of the bearing leads to a significant rise in the temperature and frictional energy developed in the bearing. Also, the maximum Hertzian/contact stress was observed to developed on the outer ring of the roller bearing assembly (at the point of contact between the outer ring and the balls) in all the operational speeds considered. Thus, making this outer ring more susceptible to failure during operation as compared to the other components of the bearing.