False Brinelling

The impressions made by bearing rolling elements on the bearing races; typically caused by external vibration when the shaft is stationary. Wear that occurs in rolling element bearing contact areas due to micro-movements under cyclic vibrations, at times when the machine is not rotating. Depending on the intensity of the vibrations, lubrication preservative condition, and load, a combination of corrosion and wear occurs, which forms shallow depressions in the raceways. In the case of a stationary bearing, the depressions appear at rolling element pitch and may be discolored (red) and shiny.