NSK is reversing the basic dynamic load rating of many bearings by up to double the equivalent rolling contact fatigue life, marking a significant breakthrough in bearing life calculation techniques, thereby improving productivity and enhancing environmental protection for the first time in 60 years.

Engineers may be surprised to learn that the fundamental formulas used to calculate bearing life are more or less the same as those defined in a 1962 report by the International Federation of the National Standardising Associations (ISA), the precursor to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

In 2023, over six decades later, NSK has learned a few more things about calculating and predicting bearing life, making it time to reconsider the evaluation techniques for this critical parameter.

The project began around 20 years ago, when NSK noticed a growing gap between the bearing life calculated in the ISO standard and the actual bearing life verified by endurance testing. A more detailed study commenced.

At that time, NSK confirmed that the life of its bearings was approximately 20 times longer than the life expected under ISO standards. And today, in 2024, the life of NSK bearings can be more than 50 times longer.

Erring on the side of caution is fine, but longer bearing life is beneficial to improve production efficiency and protect the environment by reducing the frequency of replacement and quantity of waste.

NSK research demonstrated that, under well-lubricated conditions, the composition and quality (amount of impurities) of the bearing steel is a more accurate indicator in predicting how long a bearing will last.

However, as the company continued its research, engineers realised that an evaluation method based on fracture mechanics might provide more meaningful insight.

Technology development commenced via an open innovation project between NSK and Kyushu University.

The result was the establishment of a quantitative evaluation method that could determine which factors influenced the process of crack propagation in a material, and to what extent.

Notably, by combining the new method with an ultrasonic inspection technique that scans the non-metallic inclusions in a large volume of steel, NSK discovered it could predict the life of its bearings with much higher accuracy.

With the establishment of the Micro-UT method - ultrasonic testing to detect non-metallic inclusions - it is today possible to inspect more than 3,000 times the volume of steel compared with conventional microscope methods in just 20 per cent of the time. NSK already has these innovative testing systems in place at its Technology Centres around the world.