Stainless steel is an excellent material for bearings because it resists corrosion. This makes it suitable for food-grade environments and clean room conditions.

Most bearing failures result from contamination and poor lubrication, not fatigue. These issues leave damaging imprints on the bearing raceways called path pattern damage. This damages the bearings and prevents them from functioning normally.

Cost-Effective

As the name implies, stainless steel is more corrosion-resistant than traditional bearing materials like carbon steel. However, this does not mean it is as strong or hard as standard-bearing steel because stainless steel contains far less carbon than regular commercial-grade steel.

Stainless steel is also less likely to be damaged by moisture and other environmental factors that can cause corrosion. Additionally, it can withstand high temperatures, making it the perfect material for many industrial applications.

Lastly, stainless steel can be incorporated into bearing designs that require little or no manual lubrication. This can reduce maintenance costs and keep the environment clean. Suppose you are interested in using stainless steel roller bearings in your application. In that case, the bearing can provide a wide range of standard models and custom-engineered solutions for unique applications. 

Durability

Bearings are designed to limit relative movement between moving parts and reduce friction. They come in many shapes and sizes to facilitate a range of motion within an overall system design. For example, roller-element bearings containing single or double rows of rollers improve radial load-carrying, while linear bearings allow straight-line movement along rails and rods.

Regardless of the application, all bearings require frequent maintenance to prolong their lifespan. The failure rate and the damage extent vary depending on the industry or specialty circumstance, but most bearings will experience wear long before reaching their predicted lifespan.

One factor that contributes to longevity is the materials used. Stainless steel offers several notable advantages over other metals for bearing applications, particularly in corrosion-prone environments. It is also resistant to higher temperatures and remains stable in high-stress situations. These characteristics make stainless steel bearings the preferred choice for various industrial applications.

Corrosion Resistance

Bearings often operate in environments that can be highly corrosive, especially when they are subject to high loads and speeds. These conditions typically call for a durable stainless steel material to help reduce unplanned downtime, maintenance costs, and overall factory life.

While many applications may require a standard type 440C hard martensitic stainless steel, specific applications can demand more resistance than the primary material can provide. In corrosive environments that regularly expose a bearing to chloride solutions, 316-grade stainless steel provides superior corrosion resistance due to adding molybdenum.

Lightweight

For industrial bearings, stainless steel is a great choice. Its resistance to corrosion and ability to stand up to high temperatures make it a strong and durable material. It also helps reduce damage that can occur with other materials.

Many industrial environments require specific grades of stainless steel that are best for the application. Often, these are cases where the bearings need to be very tough, precise, and resistant to chemical contamination or corrosive elements.

Food-grade lubricants combined with H1 solid lube and seal and slingers offer superior performance that resists these harsh settings’ everyday wear and tear. It also allows the bearings to withstand ongoing, high-pressure washdowns without contamination. They can also be fitted with protective covers for added stability and durability. This protects from contaminating dust, debris, and foreign objects. It also helps to prevent path pattern damage, which results from repeated contact between the journal and the raceway of the bearing.