Selection and Application Strategies for Rolling Bearings in Special Operating Conditions
In modern industrial systems, the application of rolling bearings has long expanded beyond conventional mechanical transmission applications, extending to specialized operating conditions such as high and low temperatures, high loads, corrosion, vacuum, and severe vibration. Standard bearings often struggle to meet these extreme operating requirements, necessitating systematic improvements in material optimization, structural design, lubrication technology, and sealing solutions to achieve reliable support.
High-temperature environments are common in metallurgy, glass manufacturing, and turbomachinery, where bearings must operate continuously above 200°C. Under these conditions, the risk of softening of ordinary bearing steel increases, and cages are susceptible to degradation. Solutions typically employ high-temperature tempered steel (such as SUJ2-HT), case-hardened steel (such as JIS-SCM420H), or heat-resistant alloys (such as M50 and Inconel 718), combined with ceramic rolling elements (Si₃N₄) to reduce thermal expansion and weight. For lubrication, high-performance solid lubricant coatings (such as MoS₂ and DLC) or high-temperature greases are often used. In some cases, oil-air circulation cooling systems are even employed. In cryogenic or cryogenic environments, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) pumps and spacecraft propulsion systems, material embrittlement and lubricant solidification are major challenges. Bearings are often made of austenitic stainless steel (such as cryogenically treated AISI 440C) or nickel-based alloys, lubricated with low-viscosity ester oils or perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants to ensure excellent operating performance even at temperatures below -196°C.
For heavy and impact-loaded environments, such as mining machinery, rolling mills, and large gearboxes, bearings require extremely high rigidity and fatigue life. Double-row cylindrical roller bearings, four-row tapered roller bearings, or spherical roller bearings are often used in these applications. Load capacity is enhanced through optimized roller profiles, preload control, and surface enhancement treatments such as carbonitriding.
In corrosive environments, such as chemical pumps and seawater treatment equipment, conventional steel bearings are susceptible to rust. Solutions include stainless steel bearings (such as X65Cr13 and 1.4122), ceramic hybrid bearings, or corrosion-resistant coatings (such as electrophoresis or PVD coating) on the inner and outer rings, combined with fully enclosed sealing structures (such as contact rubber seals or metal labyrinth seals) to isolate media intrusion.
Furthermore, in high-speed applications such as high-speed electric spindles and centrifugal compressors, bearings must balance low friction, low heat generation, and dynamic stability. Angular contact ball bearings (especially those with preloaded ceramic balls) have become the mainstream choice, combined with oil-air lubrication or spray cooling technology to effectively control temperature rise.
It is important to note that bearing selection for special operating conditions cannot rely solely on standard parameters; a systematic assessment must be conducted based on actual operating conditions, including load spectrum, speed variations, installation fit, alignment errors, and maintenance intervals. An increasing number of applications are adopting the concept of "bearing systems engineering," where manufacturers provide customized design, integrated condition monitoring, and even full lifecycle services.
As industrial equipment develops towards high efficiency, long life and low maintenance, rolling bearings for special working conditions are evolving towards composite materials, intelligent structures and integrated lubrication, continuously providing key support for the stable operation of equipment in extreme environments.
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Post time: Dec-15-2025
