Screw Compresor Bearing Failure

Applying Loctite between the inner ring and locknut is dangerous in this context because that interface is part of a precision axial location and clamping system.

Instead of clean metal-to-metal face contact, you introduced an intermediate material that can:

• prevent full uniform seating
• create uneven axial force distribution
• distort effective clamping condition
• alter internal bearing clearance / preload condition
• fracture during service
• generate hard debris
• allow those particles to enter the bearing

So the Loctite did two bad things at the same time:

A) Loading problem

It created abnormal contact mechanics:

• uneven seating
• excessive or non-uniform axial loading
• edge loading
• more sliding on balls
• mirror-like ball damage

B) Contamination problem

Detached Loctite fragments became solid contaminants:

• overrolled by balls
• produced indentations in raceways and rolling elements
• accelerated cage pocket wear

That is exactly why this failure is best described as a combined ISO 15243 failure involving both debris indentations and wear mechanisms.

Failure Photos