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Lubricant formulations and lubricant additives have been demonstrated to have a major impact on the surface durability of rolling element bearings. However, there are very few standard tests used to assess the performance aspects of lubricants as they relate to bearing surface performance. Lubricant formulations have been slanted heavily toward protecting gear concentrated contacts from galling and wear. In addition, much of the performance differentiation of lubricants has been dependent on highly accelerated, standardized laboratory tests related to gears. Methods have been developed for properly evaluating a lubricant's performance characteristics as they relate to bearings. These methods are explained and the corresponding test results are reviewed, to show their effectiveness as lubricant performance evaluation tools.

The additive chemistry of some gear lubricants can have a major impact on the surface durability of rolling element bearings (1). Lubricant formulation has been slanted heavily toward protecting gear concentrated contacts from galling and wear. As such, much of the performance differentiation of lubricants has been dependent on highly accelerated, standardized laboratory tests related to gears. Methods have been proposed to evaluate and quantify a lubricant's performance characteristics as they relate to rolling element bearings (2). Results from several lubricant performance evaluations are presented. The implications of these findings suggest that the detrimental performance effects on rolling element bearings need further fundamental study by the lubricant industry.