SEED Guides Rolling element bearings Factors < >

2.2 Environment
The main environmental factors for bearings are the normal running temperature and the presence of pollutants. The latter can be sub-divided into the quasi-liquid ones eg: humidity, working fluids etc. and the quasi-solid ones eg: dust, dirt, grit etc.

All bearings should be protected with some form of seal to exclude pollutants and enclose lubricant. Many rolling element bearings are provided with built-in seals.

Vibration can also be regarded as an environmental concern since it may cause premature failure through fatigue loading.