NSK develops self-lubricating rolling bearings

NSK Europe, the European arm of Japanese bearing manufacturer NSK, has developed deep groove ball bearings that don’t require external lubrication to be used in submersible pumps dealing with cryogenic gases corresponding to hydrogen and LNG.
NSK has developed special shaft bearings with a cage made from self-lubricating fluoroplastic for submersible pumps that deal with cryogenic gases and liquids.
The stainless-steel bearings with a cage manufactured from self-lubricating fluoroplastic are seeing rising adoption in submersible pumps as a growing variety of initiatives promote the usage of hydrogen as an power supply. เพชเชอร์เกจ use particular submersible pumps that may reliably pump gaseous and liquid media in steady or intermittent operation at low temperatures right down to round -200°C.
In such pumps, the double bearing of the pump shaft is a important design component. Corrosion resistance is crucial, and no lubricant can be utilized other than the media washing around the bearing. However, this places powerful demands on the fabric pairing.
So NSK has developed a series of deep groove ball bearings particularly for these exceptional operating situations, and several key design options provide differentiation from standard pump bearings. For example, the internal and outer rings are manufactured from a chrome steel tailored to the particular requirements of rolling bearings.
A secure cage that occupies the whole inner volume of the bearing supplies steerage for the rolling components (also made of stainless steel), while the cage materials, a self-lubricating fluoroplastic, ensures low friction working of the bearing without exterior lubrication. In addition, the high-performance fluoroplastic is extraordinarily wear-resistant and provides good low-temperature properties at speeds up to 3600 rpm. The cage has a two-piece design, with the two halves joined by stainless-steel rivets.
The NSK bearings are available in varied sizes (shaft diameter 30–100 mm) and are designed to be used in both larger hydrogen pumping amenities and decentralised functions, similar to hydrogen filling stations.
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