How can I prevent grease from washing out of my bearings?

The role and limitations of bearing seals

Bearing caps and seals are important barriers to protect the grease inside the bearing, and they are effective in preventing the ingress of external particles while keeping the grease from being lost. However, there are differences in the protective effect of different types of seals:

1. Non-contact dust caps: These caps do not contact the inner ring and therefore do not increase the starting or running torque, but their sealing performance is limited and they are ineffective in preventing the lubricant from being washed out.

2. Contact seals

Contact seals made of nitrile rubber can be in close contact with the inner ring of the bearing, providing stronger anti-pollution ability. However, it should be noted that this type of seal increases the friction torque, which may affect the operating efficiency of the bearing and therefore requires additional protection.

Intermediate solution: non-contact seals

Non-contact seals are an intermediate option between dust caps and contact seals. They are also made of nitrile rubber, but do not rub against the inner ring and therefore do not affect torque or high speeds. These seals offer better protection than metal shields and are suitable for most routine application scenarios.1 Professional advice on preventing lubricant washout

To obtain good protection against washout, the following measures are worth considering:

1. Choose the right grease

-Highly water resistant grease: effectively resists water washout and maintains lubricating properties

Food grade grease: Suitable for the food processing industry and can withstand regular steam cleaning or chemical washing.

PFPE grease: highly resistant to chemicals, suitable for harsh environments.

3. Optimize sealing systems

For high-speed, light-duty applications, consider a combination of non-contact and contact seals.

In heavy-duty or highly contaminated environments, it is recommended to use double-lip contact seals

3. Installation of guards:

Install guards on the outside of the bearings to reduce direct impacts

Design of drainage channels to avoid continuous scouring of the bearings by stagnant water.

4. Regular maintenance inspection:

Regularly check the wear of seals

Monitor grease condition, replenish or replace in time

Through the comprehensive application of these methods, the anti-scouring ability of the bearings can be significantly improved, the service life can be extended, and the stable operation of the equipment can be ensured.