How to choose lubricant for plastic deep groove ball bearings

In the design and application of plastic deep groove ball bearings, the selection of lubricants plays a vital role. Reasonable lubricants can not only significantly reduce the friction coefficient and reduce wear, but also effectively extend the service life of the bearings and improve their working efficiency and reliability. Therefore, when selecting lubricants, the characteristics of plastic materials, the special requirements of the working environment, and the motion state of the bearings must be fully considered to ensure good compatibility between the lubricant and the plastic material to achieve lubrication effect.

The lubricants used in plastic deep groove ball bearings are mainly divided into two categories: lubricating oils and greases. Each type of lubricant has unique performance characteristics and application range. Lubricating oils are usually suitable for applications with high-speed movement or rapid heat dissipation. When selecting lubricants, viscosity is a key factor, and its level directly affects the fluidity and lubrication effect of the lubricant in the bearing. Low-viscosity lubricants are suitable for high-speed operation and can provide excellent lubrication conditions and efficient heat dissipation performance. However, under heavy loads or impact conditions, too low viscosity may not form an effective oil film, resulting in direct contact between metal or plastic surfaces, thereby accelerating wear. In contrast, high-viscosity lubricants are suitable for low-speed or heavy-load conditions and have strong load-bearing capacity, but may increase friction and heat due to insufficient fluidity. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricant should be scientifically selected according to the operating speed, load and temperature range of the bearing.

In addition, the base oil type of the lubricant should also consider its compatibility with plastic materials. Mineral base oils are widely used due to their stability and economy, but may perform poorly under high temperature or special chemical environments. Relatively speaking, synthetic base oils provide better performance, with better low-temperature fluidity, higher thermal stability and stronger antioxidant ability, which are suitable for the lubrication needs of high-performance plastic deep groove ball bearings. In order to further enhance the performance of the lubricant and extend its service life, various additives such as antioxidants, anti-wear agents, anti-corrosion agents and anti-foaming agents are usually added.

The application of grease in plastic deep groove ball bearings is more suitable for low-speed, long-term operation or complex environmental conditions. Grease consists of base oil and thickener, and the type of thickener directly affects the performance of the grease. Commonly used thickeners include lithium-based, calcium-based and ceramic composite thickeners, etc. Various thickeners have significant differences in temperature resistance, water resistance, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. When selecting grease, its temperature resistance range should be carefully considered to ensure that grease does not lose or deteriorate within the operating temperature of the bearing. In addition, the viscosity of the grease and the type of thickener should be reasonably matched according to the load, speed and working environment of the bearing to ensure that the grease forms a stable oil film inside the bearing, reduce direct contact between metal or plastic surfaces, and thus reduce friction and wear.