Guide to steel bearings is published

SMB Bearings has published a new materials guide which it says is designed to be a helpful resource for machine builders. The guide, entitled "Steel bearings: an essential guide to this essential workhorse", also includes practical application advice that could be handy when choosing a steel bearing: it can be downloaded for free on the SMB Bearings website. 

To ensure  machine design engineers and builders understand the technical capabilities of the different steel bearings available, the guide simplifies the decision-making process with clear, comparable information. Common questions are addressed, such as "What is the difference between stainless steel and chrome steel bearings?" along with other common customer queries.

“With materials science constantly evolving, particularly with new developments in the lubricant and bearing coatings fields — choosing a humble bearing can feel like a colossal decision,” explained Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings.  “This steel bearings guide is our final guide in our bearing materials miniseries, which also encompasses our ceramic and plastic bearings guides.

Bearing failure can have a devastating effect, says SMB, resulting in equipment failure and costly downtime. If a bearing material and design is correctly matched to its application in the first instance, this shouldn’t be a problem. A common question asked of the company concerns when it is best to consider investing in stainless steel bearings. The guide breaks down specific operating conditions including load, speed, corrosion resistance and temperature requirements, allowing machine design engineers and builders to make a more informed decision on the question. 

“Corrosion is often known as an enemy of bearings, often caused when bearings are not properly matched to their operating conditions. In fact it is estimated that the global cost of corrosion is US$2.5 trillion globally. Chrome steel bearings will rust easily so in the presence of moisture or chemicals, for example in the food and beverage industry, we’d recommend opting for stainless steel” concludes Johnson.