The user of a bearing is the only person who can determine the expected life of a ball bearing. This calculated life of the bearings is known as the L10 life. The life expectancy of bearings is calculated by assuming that before experiencing any kind of metal fatigue, the bearings would make a certain amount of revolutions. Here, fatigue refers to the eventual breakdown of metals or gradual weakening of it due to constant strain. Now, because the manufacturer who is using the bearings best knows the operating environment of the place where it is installed, he only can determine the right duration of L10 or the life expectancy of it.
L10 is determined using the the following factors:
-The material with which bearings is made up of
-The pressure being put on the bearing (stress)
-The number of times the load cycle takes place for the bearing material
Though at times the bearing do not stretch up to the expected life period and experience premature failure. The two most likely reasons for it are:
-Lubricant exposed to water or moisture
-Excess of lubrication leading to high heat
