TRIBOLOGY CHECK‐UP FOR WEAR IN OIL RIG BEARINGS

INVESTIGATIONS carried out by The National Centre of Tribology, at Risley, Warrington, into causes of wear and failure of large bearings (up to 6 metres diameter) used on oil rigs, cranes and mooring points in the North Sea, has generated data that is proving invaluable to designers and operators. As a result, the life of bearings may now be predicted much more accurately, and there is a corresponding improvements in the operational safety.