NSK Spacea series bearings
equipped with Molded Oil
solid lubricant have solved a
problem of premature bearing
failures in a petrochemical plant in
Spain. They are installed on the
submerged rollers of a conveyor belt
and are in contact with water, hydrocarbons
and particles in suspension
from the production process.

NSK engineers were asked to visit
the plant and discovered that the
problem was one of ingress of
contaminants, water, hydrocarbons
and solid particles. The first two
contaminants were causing lubricant
loss and corrosion; the third was
causing damage to bearing raceways.

NSK engineers recommended
stainless steel bearings from the
company’s Spacea series, complete
with DDU type contact seals to deny
contaminant ingress. In addition, to
ensure effective lubrication under the
extreme working conditions, solid
Molded-Oil was used.

The H-20 Spacea bearings
provided for the petrochemical
conveyor rollers are made with outer
and inner rings and balls of
Martensite stainless steel for
corrosion resistance. The bearings
have now performed for more than
one year without problem.