Grease (standard): Grease is deposited between the balls in the bearing raceways in
carefully controlled clean conditions, according to the specified
quantity. Bearings are not normally rotated after this process, so
that run-in is necessary to distribute the grease evenly.
Oil (standard): Oil is deposited
in the bearing raceways in carefully controlled clean conditions.
Normally, oil quantity is not specified by the user, but is factory
determined according to bearing size. In some cases a specified
weight of oil can be used. Contact SWC for more
information.
Centrifuging: For torque
sensitive applications, centrifuging may be specified to remove
excess oil, leaving a
very thin film.
Vacuum impregnation: If the
bearing retainer (cage) is made from a porous material, then vacuum
impregnation can be used to force lubricant into the pores,
providing an oil reservoir. When a porous retainer is used with
grease, then the cage may be impregnated with the base oil to
prevent leaching from the grease.
Plating: Bearings may be immersed
in an oil or grease that has been diluted with a carrier solvent.
When the carrier evaporates, the bearing surfaces are completely
coated with a small amount of the original lubricant which acts both
as a corrosion shield (if applicable) and a lubricant where only a
very small amount is required (e.g. for low torque). The choice of
solvent must be compatible with the base lubricant. Contact SWC
for more details of the plating process.
Dry (no lubricant): Bearings may be specified without any lubricant. However, they may
be susceptible to corrosion. Bearings made from 52100 chrome steel
are always supplied with a coating of corrosion-inhibitor (even when
supplied “dry”), since, without this coating, corrosion would be
rapid and unavoidable.
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