NSK introduces tougher bearing

NSK has developed a bearing to withstand the toughest environments. The Aqua-Bearing uses a special fluorine-based plastic for the inner and outer rings of the bearing, and a fluorine-based plastic cage to enable it to achieve corrosion resistance equal to ceramic bearings (see table 1). The Aqua-Bearing is also said to perform better than previous generations of plastic rolling bearings made of polyethylene or polyphenylene sulfide.

The fibre-reinforced material gives the inner and outer bearing rings increased endurance, strength and rigidity, and provides a lifespan more than a thousand times longer than that of A1S144OC stainless steel bearings, the company claims. The effectiveness of NSK's materials specification means that the bearing is able to handle applications in strong acids, alkalis, ozonised water and various other vapours and halogen gases.