The global site of the UK's leading magazine for automation, motion engineering and power transmission
28 March, 2024

LinkedIn
Twitter
Twitter link

New steel doubles bearing lives in tough applications

14 June, 2017

Schaeffler has developed a new steel for rolling bearings which, combined with a carbonitriding heat treatment process, offers both harder surfaces and a higher ductility than other steels. Compared to standard bearings, devices made from this material – called Mancrodur – can have 30% higher load ratings and operating lives that are up to six times longer.

The new steel is particularly suitable for tough applications, subject to contamination or poor lubrication. For years, materials engineers have been trying to produce bearing steels that are more resistant to friction or contamination. They have had to balance the need for hard, wear-resistant raceways, against the ability to tolerate particles during over-rolling.

Mancrodur is said to achieve both of these aims. Though tough, it can level out ridges in raceways caused by embedded foreign materials. This reduces fatigue and prevents the formation of cracks, extending operating lives. Mancrodur is also able to withstand temperature rises caused by friction in applications with poor lubrication.

Under normal lubrication conditions, carbonitrided Mancrodur increases basic load ratings by 30% compared to standard materials.

These claims have verified in test applications, including a hot strip steel mill, where four-row roller bearings made from the new material achieved twice the usual operating life.




Magazine
  • To view a digital copy of the latest issue of Drives & Controls, click here.

    To visit the digital library of past issues, click here

    To subscribe to the magazine, click here

     

Poll

"Do you think that robots create or destroy jobs?"

Newsletter
Newsletter

Events

Most Read Articles