Prevention of electrical pitting on rolling bearings by electrically conductive grease

Abstract

This paper describes a fundamental study of the preventive measures against electrical pitting on rolling bearings by using electrically conductive lubricating grease. In order to evaluate the ability to prevent the electrical pitting on rolling bearings of several types of grease into which conductive nanometer-scaled carbon particles, or "nanocarbon" particles, have been dispersed, bearing rotation tests were conducted when an electric current was turned on. It was concluded that the electrically conductive grease has the ability to prevent electrical pitting, or "ridge marks", if the electric current density at the points of rolling contact is lowered.