What the future holds for bearings
30 June 2023
As an integral part of many operations, the demand for stronger, more durable and longer-lasting bearings is on the rise – and, for many applications, conventional steel ball bearings can often not compare to their hybrid counterparts. Steve Bacon, Sales Director at Bearings and Drives Limited, shares an insight into the latest innovative technologies in operational efficiency that can achieve new competitive advantages.
(Image: Shutterstock)
With a higher performance than traditional steel bearings, hybrid bearings are a combination of steel or stainless steel rings, used in conjunction with silicon nitride ceramic balls.
As new technologies emerge, rolling elements (ceramic balls) of the highest quality, which on some occasions can take up to 60 days to manufacture, can be up to 58 percent lighter, four times smoother, and have a 70 percent reduced thermal expansivity. This can typically run at operating temperatures between 14 to 47 percent lower than standard steel bearings.
A combination of these pioneering properties can heighten efficiency, ensure that the bearings are less prone to the effects of contamination and corrosion, and allow a greater intolerance to heat.
Read the full article in DPA's July issue