Temperature Field Analysis of Cylindrical Roller Bearing based on Rheological Properties of Grease

Abstract

The rheological properties of grease have a significant influence on the heat generation and heat transfer of bearings. However, due to the combined effects of shear rate, temperature and load, there are few studies on the bearing temperature field considering the rheological properties of grease. In this paper, the Bauser four-parameter model describing the rheological properties of grease is used to calculate the heat generation of bearings under grease lubrication conditions and conduct finite element analysis on the temperature field of bearings by considering the effects of viscosity of different grease base oils, plastic viscosity and shear rate affected by working conditions on heat generation and heat distribution. Considering the contact heat between the roller and inner and outer raceway and viscous friction heat of the cage, the raceway is regarded as a moving heat source, and the finite element analysis model of grease-lubricated cylindrical roller bearing is established. Taking a certain type of bearing as an example, the distribution law of bearing working temperature under different grease lubrication conditions is analyzed. The results show that under the condition of considering the rheological properties of grease, the heat generation of bearings under different grease lubrication conditions is quite different. The highest temperature inside the bearing appears at the contact center between the roller and the outer raceway, and the area with a higher temperature is more prone to surface damage.