Notes on the Use of Tapered Roller Bearings

Tapered roller bearings are widely used in industries such as automotive, rolling mills, mining, metallurgy, and plastic machinery. 

Tapered roller bearings mainly withstand combined radial and axial loads, with radial load as the primary component. The load-carrying capacity of the bearing depends on the raceway angle of the outer ring; the larger the angle, the greater the load-carrying capacity. This type of bearing is a separable bearing and is classified into single-row, double-row, and four-row tapered roller bearings according to the number of rolling element rows in the bearing. The clearance of single-row tapered roller bearings needs to be adjusted by the user during installation; the clearance of double-row and four-row tapered roller bearings has been preset according to user requirements before product delivery and requires no adjustment by the user.

Tapered roller bearings feature conical inner and outer ring raceways, with tapered rollers arranged between them. The projection lines of all conical surfaces converge at the same point on the bearing axis. This design makes tapered roller bearings particularly suitable for bearing combined (radial and axial) loads. The axial load capacity of the bearing is largely determined by the contact angle α; the larger the angle α, the higher the axial load capacity. Tapered roller bearings are usually separable, meaning the cone assembly (consisting of the inner ring with rollers and cage assembly) can be installed separately from the cup (outer ring).

The main causes of scratches on tapered roller bearings during installation are: tilting of the inner or outer ring during bearing installation and disassembly; or impact loads occurring during installation and disassembly, which eventually lead to scratches on the bearing.

Tapered roller bearings must be installed in accordance with operating specifications, otherwise various problems may arise. Improper installation methods or procedures can cause linear scratches on the bearing raceways and rolling surfaces. The installation of deep groove ball bearings directly affects the precision, service life and performance of the bearings during operation.

The following are notes on the use of bearings:

Keep tapered roller bearings and their surroundings clean: Even tiny dust particles invisible to the naked eye can adversely affect bearings. Keep the surrounding area clean to prevent dust from entering the bearings.

Use with care: Applying strong impacts to tapered roller bearings during use can cause scratches and indentations, leading to failures. In severe cases, cracking or fracture may occur, so proper care is essential.

Use appropriate operating tools: Avoid substituting unsuitable tools; only use proper specialized tools.

Prevent corrosion of tapered roller bearings: Sweat on hands can cause rust when handling bearings. Handle bearings with clean hands and wear gloves whenever possible.