Long-term use of ball bearings causes their temperature to become too high. Will this form a vicious cycle in the long run?

Long term use of ball bearings can lead to high temperatures, which can indeed form a vicious cycle. During operation, ball bearings generate heat due to friction. Under normal circumstances, lubricants should help to remove this heat and keep the bearings within a safe operating temperature range. However, if the bearing operates under high temperature conditions for a long time, excessive temperature can lead to multiple problems, thus triggering a vicious cycle.
Firstly, high temperatures can lead to a decrease in the performance of lubricants. The viscosity of lubricating oil or grease decreases with increasing temperature, which causes the lubricating film to become thinner and may even completely fail. When the lubricating film cannot effectively separate the ball and raceway, direct contact occurs between metal components, increasing friction and wear. This will lead to more heat generation, thereby exacerbating the temperature rise.
Secondly, excessive temperature can also cause changes in the properties of the bearing material. Most ball bearing materials will soften or degrade at high temperatures, especially beyond their designed operating temperature. The metal surface of the bearing may deform or corrode, leading to an increase in friction coefficient and surface damage, further exacerbating wear. This kind of damage will make the operation of the bearing more unstable, generate more heat, and the temperature will continue to rise, forming a vicious cycle.
In addition, overheating of lubricants may also cause changes in their chemical composition, and even lead to decomposition or loss of lubrication performance. Excessive heat can cause lubricants to lose their original cooling and lubrication effects, leading to increased wear of bearings and further increasing friction and temperature, continuing the vicious cycle.
The impact of high temperature on ball bearings gradually accumulates, ultimately accelerating the degradation of lubricants, increasing friction and wear, reducing the accuracy of bearings, and shortening their service life. If the bearing is continuously exposed to high temperature conditions, it may not only suffer physical damage, but also lead to a decrease in system efficiency, frequent failures, and even complete failure. Therefore, maintaining appropriate working temperatures, timely maintenance of lubrication systems, and monitoring of bearing temperatures are key to preventing this vicious cycle from occurring.