Boosting bearing life
November 1st 2006 Insocoat coated bearings and Hybrid bearings from SKF have been launched to extend the operating life of bearings used in motors and generators. In particular, they have been developed to combat the effects of electrical currents on both the bearing surfaces and lubricants, which can otherwise cause premature wear and potential failure. The bearings have a special surface coating, just 50µm thick, which acts as an electrical insulator to protect against electrically induced flashovers of up to 500V; thicker coatings are available to withstand discharges of up to 1000V. SKF has bought the lubrication systems business of John Crane Safematic, previously part of the Speciality Engineering Division of Smiths Group. More articles from SKF (UK) Limited: | 
