High temperature applications can cause a number of problems for bearings if they are the wrong kind or do not have the correct heat stabilisation. While a standard bearing can typically handle temperatures close to 150 degrees Celsius, higher temperatures than this can cause serious issues which not only reduce their lifespan but will also have a negative impact on their effectiveness and performance.
Bearing Problems with High Temperature Applications
The main problem is that high temperatures will cause extra wear and tear on the bearings due to the effects that extreme heat can have on the microstructure of the material a bearing is made from. This is a particular problem because bearings create their own friction during operation which generates even more heat, thus leading to problems when the wrong kind of bearing is installed.
Heat also makes untreated metal expand which then warps the components, causing the clearances to tighten and ultimately causing the bearing mechanism to seize up and fail.
The seals used for bearings are also prone to the effects of high temperatures and thus they also require the correct heat stabilisation treatment for use in environments exposed to extreme heat. The likes of rubber seals can lose their tension and allow the lubrication grease to purge the oils it contains. The leaking lube can then contaminate parts of the application it is not supposed to interact with and cause multiple additional problems. If that wasn’t enough, the purged oils leave the grease dried up and ineffective as a lubricant.
Bearing Lubricant for High Temperature Applications
Using the proper lubricant is very important when using bearings in applications exposed to extreme heat. The correct lubricant will ensure optimal performance of the bearings, prevent machine failure and extend the life of the parts.
Lubricants can be oils or greases, and they work by acting as a thin film that protects the two connecting parts from directly touching and creating too much friction. Different applications will require different types of lubricant, but they all do the same job of reducing friction.
The type of lubricant you need will depend on factors such as the weight and type of the load, the speeds involved during operation, and of course the temperatures each part will be exposed to. Extreme heat will affect the viscosity of both oils and greases, so it is crucial that you select one that is treated for use in high temperatures applications.
INA Linear Bearings
The bearings in the INA Bearings range available through industrial bearings suppliers, Yorkshire’s YB Components, will be either rolling or linear designs. They all have different individual characteristics for use with a variety of load capacities, vibrations, accelerations, constant speeds and strokes. There are also INA linear bearings that have been treated to be temperature resistant.
If you require any bearing products such as INA linear bearings, then contact YB Components who are the UK’s leading industrial bearings suppliers in Yorkshire, holding stocks of bearing products ready to ship fast and free all over the UK and the rest of the world.