《Ceramic Bearings for Special》.pdf

Ceramic Bearings for Special Environments Shin Niizeki Bearing Technology Center ABSTRACT Compared to steel, ceramic materials offer superior corrosion and heat resistance, higher dimensional stability, and lower density, which facilitates high speed. NSK’s silicon nitride bearings have been used with successful results in machine tool spindles for more than 10 years. Recently, NSK has developed ceramic bearings for special operating conditions including corrosive, vaccum, high-temperature, clean, non-lubricated and seizure-prone environments. NSK’s ceramic bearings are made of silicon nitride, silicon carbide or partially stabilized zirconia, depending on the application. The superiority of these bearings was demonstrated in endurance tests in water, acid solutions, high- temperature vaccum conditions and an oil shut-off test, as well as on a hot-dip galvanizing line. 1. Introduction 2.1.1 Silicon nitride Silicon nitride bearings are used in high-speed Research on ceramic rolling bearings has been ongoing applications like machine tools and aircraft engines, and for more than 30 years. 1), 2) As shown in Table 1, ceramics in oil- and liquid-lubricated machinery operated under are superior to steel in heat and corrosion resistance, and heavy load. As shown in Table 1, silicon nitride is superior are lightweight and extremely hard as well. Consequently, to bearing steel (AISI 52100) in physical and mechanical ceramic rolling bearings can be used in environments properties such as density, strength and heat resistance. It where conventional steel bearings cannot. Accordingly, is also satisfactory in terms of rolling fatigue life, making NSK has long been engaged in researc