Whitemetal can embed small particles, but larger, harder or more numerous contaminants may score the lining before they settle. Continued debris circulation can disturb the oil film and damage both the bearing and its mating surface.
What the Damage Looks Like
- Circumferential score lines in the direction of shaft movement
- Embedded particles, local grooves or dragged material
- Polished or burnished tracks among otherwise normal lining
- Matching marks on the shaft or thrust collar
Likely Contributing Factors
- Dirty assembly conditions or inadequate system flushing
- External ingress through seals, breathers or open maintenance work
- Filter failure, incorrect filtration or bypass operation
- Wear debris from gears, seals, pumps or another bearing
- Residual machining, blasting or repair debris in oil passages
Diagnosis and Response
Move From Damage to Root Cause
What to Inspect
- Examine oil samples, filters and magnetic debris collectors
- Compare particle composition with other machine components
- Inspect oil feeds, grooves, housing pockets and drain paths
- Check shaft or collar surface finish and score depth
- Review filtration rating, differential pressure and bypass history
Corrective Actions to Consider
- Locate and remove the source before installing a repaired bearing
- Clean and flush the system to an agreed cleanliness target
- Correct seal, breather, filter or maintenance-control deficiencies
- Repair mating surfaces that could damage the replacement lining
- Verify oil cleanliness during commissioning and early operation
Repair or Replace?
Repair depends on score depth, residual lining thickness, bond condition and the mating-surface damage. Light isolated marks may be assessable, while widespread scoring, embedded hard particles or displaced lining generally requires stripping and re-lining.
Diagnosis Note
Scoring shows that debris passed through the contact, but its source may be remote from the bearing. Retaining oil, filter and debris samples before cleaning can materially improve the root-cause investigation.
Need an Engineering Assessment?
Send photographs, operating data and failure history for an initial review by Oiltech Bearings.