Grease lubrication

Grease lubrication is the most common lubrication method for rolling bearings: a grease consisting of base oil, thickener and additives is packed into the bearing cavity, with the thickener acting as an oil reservoir that slowly releases base oil to the contact surfaces. Advantages include simple sealing, low design effort and sealed-for-life bearings (suffixes 2Z, 2RS). As a guide value, about 30 percent of the free bearing space is filled; overgreasing causes churning and heat. At high speeds and temperatures, oil lubrication takes over. Grease selection and relubrication interval are the key maintenance parameters.