Abstract Here, we developed a technique to assess the workability of sealed-for-life greased rolling bearings after a long-term storage.In this framework, we devised a model of equivalent transition between the conditions of natural ageing under daily and seasonally fluctuating temperature, and the Lip Treatment conditions of accelerated thermal ageing at a constant high temperature.The tested bearings were thermally aged, and then their steady state friction and outer ring temperature were examined in a custom high-speed spindle.These results were compared to the performance of a reference new bearing tested under the same loading conditions.
Our Safety Locks findings suggest that long-term storage can significantly degrade the performance of sealed-for-life greased rolling bearings.However, a proper running-in can substantially deter the ageing-driven degradation of the bearings.