Hybrid ceramic ball bearings

Hybrid ceramic ball bearing

Prevent electrical arcing

When electrical current passes across bearings, a washboard pattern appears on the raceways, along with a darkened grey appearance. Typical results include bearing surface damage, premature aging of the lubricant. The natural insulating properties of ceramic material eliminates this type of damage.

Lower maintenance costs

Extending the service life of a bearing without increasing maintenance cuts equipment operating costs. The initial cost of a hybrid bearing may be higher than a standard steel bearing, but the difference is quickly recovered in maintenance savings.

Increase service life

Because of the properties of ceramics, a hybrid bearing's service life can be up to 10 times that of a standard steel bearing, reducing the need for maintenance on your machine as well as the costly interruptions in production.

Extend grease life

MRC hybrid bearings run cooler and can operate with thinner lubricant films than conventional bearings. The result? Less aging of the grease, longer relubrication intervals, and increased service life vs. standard bearings in the same operating conditions.

Reduce wear from vibration

Equipment exposed to static vibration risks false brinelling, (erosion of the surfaces within the ball and raceway contacts), which can lead to spalling and premature failure. Lighter weight ceramic balls and dissimilar materials reduce the risk of false brinelling damage considerably.

Lower operating temperatures

Because ceramic balls are only 40% as dense as steel balls, the centrifugal load that they generate is less and the internal bearing friction is lower. The lower density and friction enables cooler running under the same operating conditions, or even higher rotational speeds.

Reduce wear from contamination

Solid particle contaminants can create dents in bearing rolling surfaces and raised edges around those dents. This condition causes noise and premature wear as the steel balls roll over those surfaces. Harder ceramic balls smooths the surface roughness with no material removal, thereby reducing noise and wear while  extending bearing service life.

Available in extra-large bore sizes for wind power applications

Electric current passage is the major cause of bearing damage in wind power generator applications, often resulting in premature bearing failure, generator breakdown and unplanned turbine down time. Now, MRC's hybrid ceramic ball bearings are available in sizes specifically designed to fit these turbines, reducing operating costs, the risk of costly repairs and lost production for new and installed generators.
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