On the thermally-induced seizure in bearings: A review

• Mechanisms of bearing failure due to thermal effects are presented.
• Thermal induced seizure occur in both journal and rolling element bearings.
• Seizure can occur in loaded, unloaded, lubricated, unlubricated bearings.
• Clearance loss varies nonlinearly with time in journal bearings.
• Likelihood of seizure increases exponentially at higher rotational speeds.

This paper presents a state-of-the-art survey of papers reported on the nature of a troublesome failure mode in bearings known as seizure. This mode of failure is thermally-induced and it occurs in both journal and rolling element bearings. To gain insight, particular attention is given to reported experimental observation, various mechanisms involved, and available prediction methodologies.