Bearing Failure Modes
Each bearing failure signature tells a story — vibration spectrum, lubrication condition, and visual damage together reveal the root cause.
Spalling (surface fatigue) appears as pitting and flaking of bearing race and balls; typically caused by overloading, vibration while stationary, or normal end-of-life.
Smearing (skidding) appears as material transfer between surfaces; typically caused by inadequate lubrication or excessive speed changes.
Brinelling (indentations) appears as evenly-spaced dents in the race; typically caused by shock loads or vibration while stationary (false brinelling during transport or storage).
Corrosion appears as rust and pitting; typically caused by water contamination or lubricant breakdown — and is often the upstream cause of final spalling failure.
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