on the surface. Figure 19.6 gives an example of a totally different failure mode produced by the loss of internal bearing clearance due to thermal unbalance of the system.

The last four failures are not valid fatigue spalls and indicate the need to correct the test methods. Furthermore, these data points would need to be eliminated from the failure data to obtain a valid estimate of the experimental bearing life.

2 .AVOIDING FAILURES

The best way to handle bearing failures is to avoid them．This can be done in the selection process by recognizing critical performance characteristics．These include noise，starting and running torque，stiffness，non-repetitive run out，and radial and axial play．In some applications, these items are so critical that specifying an ABEC level alone is not sufficient．

Torque requirements are determined by the lubricant，retainer，raceway quality(roundness cross curvature and surface finish)，and whether seals or shields are used．Lubricant viscosity must be selected carefully because inappropriate lubricant，especially in miniature bearings，causes excessive torque．Also，different lubricants have varying noise characteristics that should be matched to the application. For example，greases produce more noise than oil．

Non-repetitive run out(NRR)occurs during rotation as a random eccentricity between the inner and outer races，much like a cam action．NRR can be caused by retainer tolerance or eccentricities of the

raceways and balls．Unlike repetitive run out, no compensation can be made for NRR.

NRR is reflected in the cost of the bearing．It is common in the industry to provide different bearing types and grades for specific applications．For example，a bearing with an NRR of less than 0.3um is used when minimal run out is needed，such as in disk—drive spindle motors．Similarly，machine—tool spindles tolerate only minimal deflections to maintain precision cuts．Consequently, bearings are manufactured with low NRR just for machine-tool applications．

Contamination is unavoidable in many industrial products，and shields and seals are commonly used to protect bearings from dust and dirt．However，a perfect bearing seal is not possible because of the movement between inner and outer races．Consequently，lubrication migration and contamination are always problems．

Once a bearing is contaminated, its lubricant deteriorates and operation becomes noisier．If it overheats，the bearing can seize．At the very least，contamination causes wear as it works between balls and the raceway，becoming in the races and acting as an abrasive between metal surfaces．Fending off dirt with seals and shields illustrates some methods for controlling contamination．

Noise is as an indicator of bearing quality．Various noise grades have been developed to classify bearing performance capabilities．

Which is used for quality control in bearing production and also

when failed bearings are returned for analysis. A transducer is attached to the outer ring and the inner race is turned at 1,800rpm on an air spindle. Noise is measured in andirons, which represent ball displacement in μm/rad.

With experience, inspectors can identify the smallest flaw from their sound. Dust, for example, makes an irregular crackling. Ball scratches make a consistent popping and are the most difficult to identify. Inner-race damage is normally a constant high-pitched noise, while a damaged outer race makes an intermittent sound as it rotates.

Bearing defects are further identified by their frequencies. Generally, defects are separated into low, medium, and high wavelengths. Defects are also referenced to the number of irregularities per revolution.

Low-band noise is the effect of long-wavelength irregularities that occur about 1.6 to 10 times per revolution. These are caused by a variety of inconsistencies, such as pockets in the race. Detectable pockets are manufacturing flaws and result when the race is mounted too tightly in multiple jaw chucks.

Medium-hand noise is characterized by irregularities that occur 10 to 60 times per revolution. It is caused by vibration in the grinding operation that produces balls and raceways. High-hand irregularities occur at 60 to 300 times per revolution and indicate closely spaced chatter marks or widely spaced, rough irregularities.

Classifying bearings by their noise characteristics allows users to specify a noise grade in addition to the ABEC standards used by most manufacturers. ABEC defines physical tolerances such as bore, outer diameter, and run out. As the ABEC class number increase (from 3 to 9), tolerances are tightened. ABEC class, however, does not specify other bearing characteristics such as raceway quality, finish, or noise. Hence, a noise classification helps improve on the industry standard.