Effect of lubricant viscosity grade on mechanical vibration of roller bearings

This work aims to characterize vibration behavior of roller bearings as a function of lubricant viscosity. Experimental tests were performed in NU205 roller bearings, lubricated with mineral oil of three different viscosity grades (ISO 10, 32 and 68). The mechanical vibration was determined through the processing and analysis of bearing radial vibration data, obtained from each of the lubrication conditions, during 2 h of test run for temperature stabilization and under several bearing shaft speeds. The applied radial load was 10% of the bearing nominal load. Through root mean square (RMS) analysis of the vibration signals, it was possible to identify specific frequency bands modulated by the change in lubricant viscosity, which was related to change in oil film thickness.