Grease ball bearings? Does it have to be?

Who does not know it? When installing metallic ball bearings, grease or lubricating oil always remain on the fingers. Grease ball bearings? Is it possible without it? Of course!

Plastic ball bearing

It works without lubricant, for example, with lubrication-free ball bearings made of plastic. Unlike metal, it is true that the high speeds above 5,000rpm cannot be implemented, but only a few applications need to rotate with such incredible speed. Most applications usually run at low load and speed. Plastic ball bearings are always impressive when used in liquid media such as water or even chemicals.

But even in applications with elevated temperatures up to 150°C, ball bearings made of plastic can be a better alternative. In addition, such bearings offer considerable advantages over metal in terms of easy movement. They run with significantly lower breakaway torque so that they do not have to overcome the resistance of the lubricant. In addition, they are very light, and upon request are also available with glass balls and thus are completely metal-free and non-magnetic. Grease ball bearings: not with xiros.

Ceramic ball bearing

Another lubrication-free alternative are ball bearings made of technical ceramics. Ceramic materials are generally very resistant to wear, corrosion and temperature. They are also light, rigid and electrically insulating - all specifications that are very favourable for applications with rolling bearings. Despite the significantly higher costs compared to metallic materials, technical ceramics such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide and aluminium oxide have long been established as ball bearing materials. In many cases, however, for cost reasons, they have hitherto been used only in application areas in which the advantages of ceramics are really important and buyers are not deterred by the higher procurement costs.*

In contrast to the alternatives mentioned, metallic ball bearings must be lubricated. Without lubrication, these bearings would otherwise rust very quickly and deform by use due to the high frictional forces and the lack of cooling, resulting in the blockage of the bearing in the worst case. Lubrication is essential for sealed ball bearings in particular, as otherwise the plastic or rubber seals will become porous. This can cause grease to escape and result in the bearing operating dry. Although non-rusting stainless steel ball bearings do not corrode, they are much more expensive to purchase than plastic ball bearings.