Temperature Limitations of Petroleum, Synthetic, and Other Lubricants in Rolling-Contact Bearings

STUDIES of 20-mm-bore tool-steel ball bearings operated at 2500 rpm and lubricated with graphite, or molybdenum disulfide-air mist, or one of several liquids (both petroleum and synthetic types) are reported in this paper.

Effective lubrication at 1000 F with graphite, at 850 F with molybdenum disulfide, and at 700 F with a synthetic diester was obtained.

A second investigation of the effectiveness of molybdenum disulfide-air mist as a lubricant for high-speed roller bearings is also reported here. Successful operation of a 75-mm-bore cageless roller bearing at a DN of 0.975 × 10⁶ (13,000 rpm) with no external heat added was obtained.