What is the normal service life of polyurethane caster bearings?

Polyurethane Caster Bearing Service Life and Influencing Factors

There's no fixed standard for the service life of polyurethane caster bearings, but it's typically between 1 and 5 years. This service life is influenced by three key factors: usage scenario, load intensity, and maintenance frequency, resulting in significant variations.

Specifically:

In terms of usage scenario, in dry environments with normal temperatures (such as office buildings and shopping malls), bearings are less affected by temperature and humidity. With moderate usage (5-10 rotations per day), the service life can reach 3-5 years. Humid and oily environments (such as food processing areas) can easily cause bearing rust, shortening the service life to 1.5-2.5 years. High and low temperature environments (such as cold storage and high-temperature workshops) accelerate grease failure and metal component aging, resulting in a service life of 1-2 years, requiring frequent inspection and replacement.

Load intensity significantly impacts service life. If the bearing is used consistently within 80% of its rated load (e.g., a rated load of 300kg with an actual load ≤240kg), it will experience even wear and a lifespan of over three years. However, if it is frequently overloaded (exceeding 120% of the rated load), pitting and deformation will rapidly develop on the bearing balls and raceways, potentially shortening its lifespan to 6-12 months or even less.

Proper maintenance directly impacts bearing lifespan. Regularly cleaning the bearings (every 1-3 months), re-applying appropriate grease, and protecting them from foreign matter can extend their lifespan by 30%-50%. Long-term neglect of maintenance can lead to bearings becoming stuck due to accumulation of dust and oil, potentially reducing their lifespan to half that of regular maintenance, or even leading to premature failure due to rust or seizure.

In summary, daily load control based on the specific scenario, proper cleaning and lubrication, and prompt inspection and repair of bearings when they experience sticking, unusual noises, or looseness can maximize their lifespan.