Bearing Lubrication Guide: Grease Selection, Filling Amount & Regreasing Cycle

Lubrication is the core of bearing maintenance.

Suitable grease reduces friction, isolates dust and prevents corrosion.

High-speed bearings need low-viscosity grease, while heavy-load bearings need high-adhesion extreme-pressure grease.Grease filling quantity should be controlled reasonably.

Excessive grease causes overheating, while insufficient grease leads to dry friction and wear. Regular grease renewal ensures stable bearing operation.

Bearing Lubrication Guide | Grease Type, Fill Volume & Maintenance Interval

Over 80% of early bearing failures stem from improper lubrication, including mismatched grease, wrong filling volume and delayed re-lubrication. This concise guide helps maintenance teams standardize lubrication operations and maximize bearing runtime.

1. Grease Selection Rules

Match grease formula based on actual working conditions:

• General low-speed equipment: Lithium-based grease for normal temperature (-30℃~110℃)

• High-speed & high-temperature machinery: Synthetic polyurea grease for heat resistance

• Humid/dusty workshop: Waterproof & anti-rust thickened grease to block moisture and debris

• Heavy-load impact equipment: Grease with extreme pressure additives to reduce friction wear

2. Standard Grease Filling Amount

Excess grease causes overheating; insufficient grease leads to dry friction:

• High-speed bearings: Fill 25%–35% of bearing internal free space

• Medium & low-speed bearings: Fill 50%–70% of internal space

• Severe dust environment: Properly increase filling volume for auxiliary sealing

3. Regreasing Cycle Reference

Adjust refill frequency according to speed and temperature:

• Normal temperature & medium speed: Refill grease every 1–3 months

• High temperature / continuous 24h operation: Refill every 2–4 weeks

• Low-speed intermittent equipment: Replenish grease every 6 months

• Replace all grease once it turns black, emulsified or mixed with metal particles

Key Reminder

Always clean the bearing cavity before adding new grease. Mixed different types of grease will deteriorate lubricating performance rapidly.

Professional Tip

We supply a full range of precision industrial bearings and provide free lubrication matching suggestions based on your machine’s working speed, temperature and load. Reach out to our engineering team for customized maintenance solutions and cut your equipment downtime.