Grease ball bearings? Does it have to be?

Who hasn't experienced this? When installing metal ball bearings, grease or lubricating oil always remains on your fingers. Grease ball bearings? Can it be done without? Of course!

Ball bearings made of plastic

The lubrication-free ball bearings made of plastic, for example work without it. Unlike with metal, the high speeds of over 5,000rpm cannot be realised, but only a few applications rotate at such high speeds. Most applications usually run with low load and speed. Ball bearings made of plastic are always impressive when used in liquid media such as water or chemicals.

But plastic ball bearings can also be a better alternative in applications with elevated temperatures of up to 150°C. In addition, such bearings offer considerable advantages over metal in terms of ease of movement. As they do not have to overcome the resistance of the lubricant, they run with a much lower breakaway torque. They are also very light and can be supplied with glass balls on request, making them completely metal-free and non-magnetic. Greasing ball bearings: not with xiros.

Ceramic ball bearings

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 lightweight, 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, they have so far only been used in applications where the advantages of ceramics really come into play and buyers are not put off by the higher procurement costs, precisely for cost reasons.*

In contrast to the alternatives mentioned, metallic ball bearings must be lubricated. Without lubrication, these bearings would otherwise rust very quickly and deform during use due to the high frictional forces and lack of cooling, which in the worst case could lead to blockage of the bearing. 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 running dry. Although stainless steel ball bearings do not corrode, they are significantly more expensive to purchase than plastic ball bearings.