How Should Wear, Scoring, Or Burning Of A Sliding Bearing Be Addressed?

Sliding bearing is a key part of industrial mechanical transmission systems. It is mainly used to support rotating shaft and promote stable operation through sliding contact. During long-term use, factors such as load, speed, lubrication conditions, operating temperature and installation precision may lead to wear and tear, scratches (scratches) or thermal damage (outbursts/ combustion). If not resolved, these problems will not only shorten the bearing's service life, but also lead to vibration of equipment, the shaft journal damage, and in severe cases, operation downtime.
For equipment manufacturers, maintenance personnel and procurement professionals, understanding the causes of various types of damage and knowing how to address them can help reduce maintenance costs and improve the operational reliability of equipment.

1.How to deal with the abrasion of sliding bearings?
Wear and tear of sliding bearing is usually characterized by thinning of working surface, increasing gap, change surface roughness or local material loss. Long-term use, inadequate lubrication, contaminant entry or load exceeding design specifications can accelerate wear and tear.
After detecting wear and tear, the first step is to close the equipment and inspect the bearing holes, the shaft journal and lubrication systems. Measure the actual gap and compare it with the flow allowable values specified by the equipment manufacturer. If there is less wear-the bearing's dimensions, surface condition and bearing capacity still meet technical requirements-bearings can be cleaned, lubricated or otherwise permitted in accordance with product design and maintenance specifications.
If the bearing clearance exceeds the permitted range, or if there is significant material loss on the working surface, the bearing must be evaluated for repair or replacement. For thin-walled bushings, self-lubricating bearings or bearings with special coatings, no attempt should be made to grind or polish the surface as this could damage the original structure.

2.How to solve thescratching problem of sliding bearings?
Scratches on the surface of common bearings are usually caused by foreign body entry, lubricant contamination, rough shaft journal surface or improper operation during installation. When metal particles, dust, or other hard impurities enter the friction zone, they create grooves in the bearing surface that can destabilize the lubrication film. During maintenance, the lubricant is first checked for particulate contamination and for blockages in oil oil reservoirs, lines and filtration devices. When cleaning bearings and related components, methods suitable for specific bearing material should be used to ensure that contaminants are not reintroduced into the work area.
For smaller scratches, the depth and distribution of the scratches and bearing material are taken into account to assess whether the bearing is viable. If the scratches are deep, if flaking (spalling) occurs, or if suitable gaps and carrying capacity are compromised, a professional assessment is required in accordance with established maintenance protocols; bearings should be replaced if necessary.
Also, inspect mating logs. If burrs, scratches or unusual roughness appear on the neck surface, new bearings can quickly break down again. Therefore, in the maintenance process, it is also necessary to verify the status of the journal, not just the bearing itself.

3.What should be done about "combustion" (seizure/overheating damage) of sliding bearings?

"combustion" of sliding bearings is generally more severe than typical wear. Common symptoms include surface discoloration, local fusing, material transfer and even severe wear or metal to metal adhesion. The main reasons include loss of lubrication, insufficient operating clearance, excessive load, unusually high bearing temperatures and severe friction between shaft and bearing.
If there are signs of combustion, the equipment should be stopped immediately to prevent further damage to the shaft neck and bearing housing. Once the equipment has been shut down and cooled in accordance with safety protocols, inspect the working surfaces, diaries, the lubrication circuits and oil supply systems of the bearings.

IV.If the bearing surface shows signs of fusing, severe deformation or material flaking, the bearing must normally be replaced and the shaft neck inspected for damage. In the case of severe combustion, it is also necessary to investigate possible problems such as lubrication pump failure, blockage of oil passages, inadequate fuel supply pressure or abnormal loading conditions.
It is important to note that simply adding more lubricant won't solve the potential glitch. The root cause of temperature rise and abnormal friction must be found, otherwise, replacement bearing are likely to fail again in a short time. Select the appropriate repair strategy based on the Extent.
Different types of damage require different approaches. Maintenance personnel shall determine the appropriate method in accordance with the bearing structure, materials, conditions of use of equipment and the manufacturer's specifications.
For sliding bearings made of copper alloys, bimetallic materials, composites or self-lubricating materials, the method of repair must be suitable for a particular material. Techniques such as grinding or repair processes for standard metal bushings should not be applied indiscriminately to all types of bearings.

V. Check the operating parameters of lubrication system and equipment
When bearings are damaged, it is necessary to deal not only with the damaged components, but also with the external factors causing the failure. The lubrication system are the main area of investigation; checking that the grades and viscosity of lubricants meet specifications, ensuring adequate oil supplies, checking that oil passages are clear and checking for moisture or particle contamination in lubricants.
In addition, confirm that the actual load and speed of the equipment are within the design range. At the same time, check the safety of bearing housing, alignment of shaft system and working temperature. For sliding bearings lubricated by hydrodynamic (oil film) lubrication, the formation conditions of oil film shall be evaluated to meet the equipment's requirements.
If the same equipment is repeatedly worn or scratched, it is recommended to record the load, speed, temperature and lubrication status of each failure to help maintenance personnel determine the root cause of recurring problems.
6.Strengthen Routine Maintenance to reduce the risk of repeated Recurrent Bearing Damage.
In order to prevent further damage of sliding bearings, it is necessary to establish a perfect inspection and maintenance regimen. During the operation of the equipment, temperature, vibration, lubrication and noise are monitored according to the requirements of the manufacturer, and anomalies are detected in a timely manner.

Daily maintenance should focus on the following:
-Periodic inspection of lubricating oil: replace lubricating oil or grease as needed to prevent contaminants from affecting lubrication performance.
-Load Control: Avoid operating equipment under continuous overload or at speeds exceeding design specifications.
Maintenance of assembly Precision: verify the condition of shaft neck and bearing housing, ensure proper clearance, and check alignment of shaft system.
-Cleanliness Management: prevents dust, metal particles and other foreign objects from entering friction zones. Quick replacement of damaged components: Do not continue to operate bearings that are severely worn or heat damaged (charred).
From the point of view of common bearing supplier, the selection stage is equally important. When procuring bearings, the supplier shall be provided with details of shaft diameter, load, speed, operating temperature, lubrication method, working environment, etc.. This ensures the selection of suitable bearing materials, structural design and appropriate parameters. For special operating conditions, it is also recommended to verify in advance the abrasion resistance, permissible operating range and maintenance requirements of the product.

Frequently Asked Questions: Handling Plain Bearings Damage
Q1: If a normal bearing has a slight scratch, will it still use?
It depends on the depth and position of the scratch, the material and the actual operating clearance. If scratches do not affect lubrication, size or bearing capacity, bearings may continue to be used after professional inspection. However, if there are deep grooves, flaking (flaking) or abnormal wear and tear, further assessment or replacement is required.
Q2: Are a heat-damaged (scorched) plain bearing repairable?
Minor damage to bearings can be assessed in accordance with the material and manufacturer's maintenance specifications. However, bearings usually require to be replaced if there is material fusion (gripping), severe deformation, or flaking. In addition, journal and the lubrication system must be inspected before any repairs are made.
Q3: Why does wear persist even when common bearings are replaced?
This may be due to improper bearing clearance, rough shaft neck surface, poor shaft alignment, lubricant contamination or prolonged overload of equipment. If the root cause not addressed, the installation of new bearings will not ensure long-term stable operation.
Q4: How do I determine if I need to replace common bearings?
Replacement shall be assessed in accordance with equipment maintenance standards if the bearing clearance exceeds specified limits or if there are signs of serious scratchings, thermal damage (scorching), flaking or deformation,or if the bearing is no longer capable of maintaining proper lubrication and bearing performance. For critical equipment, decisions cannot be made based solely on appearance.