Bearings are mechanical components that allow moving parts to rotate or move smoother by reducing friction. Bearings of all shapes and sizes are widely used in many diverse industries. Most bearings are usually lubricated with grease and can operate up to a temperature range of 90-100°C.

In certain high temperature environments however, standard bearings are unable to fulfill their full service life. Components such as rubber seals and polymer cages will show signs of failure at around 120°C. At temperatures above 150°C, standard bearings require frequent re-lubrication due to shortened grease life.

Very high temperatures can also cause structural changes to bearings. The clearance of the bearing is reduced and eventually, the bearing is likely to seize. Bearing failures result in frequent machine downtime and unscheduled maintenance, which can incur huge costs.

In industrial applications with extremely high temperatures, such as the metal industry and the food & beverage industry, high-temperature bearings should be used instead of standard bearings.

High-temperature bearings are best suited for use in operations where the environment is hot and dry, with slow rotational speeds.

Food & Beverage industry

Metal industry

These specially designed bearings are often lubricated using graphite instead of grease. Graphite is commonly used as a solid lubricant. It can operate in temperatures up to 350°C, making it suitable for use in high-temperature environments. These bearings do not need to be re-lubricated, saving time and costs.

High-temperature bearings are able to reduce your total cost of ownership, through the following ways:

• Increased bearing service life in high temperature applications
• Re-lubrication-free
• Less maintenance needs can in turn improve productivity and efficiency.
• Food grade variants are available for the F&B industry
• Improved worker safety as manual lubrication in high-temperature conditions can be dangerous.

As an authorized distributor of SKF, SLS can provide high-temperature bearings for use in extreme environments. SKF High-temperature bearings are designed to withstand operating temperatures up to 350 °C (660 °F) and are manufactured according to ISO standards.

SLSPRO specializes in bearing maintenance and our expert engineers are able to provide solutions that can help you to minimize your operation costs and downtime. Click on the button below to book a consultation with our engineering team.