xiros® plastic ball bearings continually tested in our lab

We constantly carry out tests in order to continuously develop our products and to assess customer applications better. The aim is to offer the perfect products for every application. Our customers also benefit even more because we bundle our experience and test results in our online tools. These help to select the right product for the most individual applications of our customers.

The electroplating process places very high demands on the materials used in electroplating plants. In electroplating, electricity is sent through an electrolytic bath. The metal that is to be applied is located on the positive pole (e.g. copper or nickel), the object to be coated at the negative pole. Since this is an electrochemical process that usually also uses strong chemicals in the electroplating bath, metallic ball bearings are not suitable. When ball bearings are installed, they are usually plastic ball bearings. Ball bearings made of technical ceramic can also be used but are considerably more expensive. In the following: plastic versus metal in an electroplating bath.

Rotation test rig

• Tests at high speeds and low loads (5,000 rpm, 10N)
• Ongoing tests with our own xirodur D180 and iglide cage materials
• Installation size: {N1}

The effect of cage materials on ball bearing wear

The difficulty is that high speeds (2,000 rpm, for example) generate high centrifugal forces of the balls. This accelerates the balls outwards. The cage material requires a certain stability, since the cage pockets would otherwise expand, giving the balls more clearance and freedom of movement. Since the balls can no longer maintain the correct position, there is more wear and the bearing fails faster.

We use reinforcement materials to increase cage material stability, and there is sliding friction between the balls and the cage. Solid lubricants improve sliding performance. That is why we use iglide materials for cages. They contain additives that improve stability and sliding properties.

Cage pocket evaluation

To the left is unreinforced material, untested; to the right is unreinforced material, tested.Parameters: 25N, 2,000 rpm, operating time seven days. Ball pockets significantly expanded; the ball no longer stays in the cage pocket on its own.

To the left is untested reinforced iglide material; to the right is tested reinforced iglide material.Parameters: 25N, 2,000 rpm, operating time seven days. Marginal or no expansion; the ball stays in the cage pocket on its own.