Experimental Analysis of Effect of Lubricant Viscosity on Vibration Behaviour of Rolling Element Bearing

This research article presents an experimental analysis of how lubricant viscosity impacts the vibration behavior of rolling element bearings. Using an FFT analyzer, the study investigates the vibrational responses under varying conditions, utilizing three lubricant grades: NLGI 1, NLGI 2, and NLGI 3. The bearings were tested under three different loads (3 kg, 6 kg, and 9 kg) and three rotational speeds (300 rpm, 600 rpm, and 900 rpm). The analysis revealed that lubricant viscosity significantlyinfluences the vibration characteristics of the bearings. Among the tested lubricants, NLGI 2 demonstrated superior performance and stability across all test conditions. This grade effectively minimized vibration amplitudes, providing better-damping properties compared to NLGI 1 and NLGI 3. The findings suggest that selecting the appropriate lubricant viscosity is crucial for optimizing the operational performance and longevity of rolling element bearings, particularly in varying load and speed conditions. This research contributes valuable insights for industries aiming to enhance machinery reliability through informedlubrication strategies.