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.