NSK’S PATENTED L-PPS MATERIAL SOLVES PROBLEM OF HEAT- INDUCED BEARING CAGE FAILURES FOR SCREW COMPRESSOR MANUFACTURER
NSK’s patented L-PPS bearing cage technology is providing a highly effective solution – both in terms of long term performance and competitive cost – for a manufacturer of screw compressors in the refrigerant sector. The manufacturer was receiving frequent complaints from customers about compressor failures, which were resulting from damage to bearings operating under continuous high temperatures above 70 degrees C.
The problem experienced by the manufacturer was not uncommon in an industry that is demanding ever increasing trouble-free life and longer intervals between overhauls for compressors. In addition to the greater load carrying capacity and improved lubrication capability demanded from bearings in such compressors, other key requirements are excellent thermal and chemical stability.
NSK was called in by the screw compressor manufacturer following the failure of bearing cages in a competitor’s range of bearings. The cages were manufactured either from brass or polyamide; but, unfortunately, both of these materials were failing prematurely. The brass cages exhibited stress corrosion cracking, while the operation of the polyamide cages was impaired by lubricant at high operating temperatures.
After examining the failed bearings, NSK recommended the use of bearings with cages made from L-PPS (linear polyphenylene sulphide) material. Covered by global patents, L-PPS was developed by NSK using a special manufacturing process. This has enabled bearings equipped with L-PPS cages not only to offer greater performance and life, but provide these benefits at a competitive price compared with most competitors’ solutions, which are either brass or Peek.
L-PPS is a glass fibre reinforced plastic designed for high temperature use, at up to 190 degrees C. The material also has a high level of chemical resistance and thermal stability. Bearings equipped with L-PPS cages also offer greater load-carrying capacity and have much improved lubrication capability.
Following the introduction of bearings equipped with L-PPS cages, complaints of failed bearings to the screw compressor manufacturer, ceased. This meant that the manufacturer was able to minimise his costs regarding repair and replacement of bearings and provide enhanced guarantees as to the long term operation of his compressor products.
More about L-PPS
Although initially developed for compressor bearing applications, the advantages of bearings employing L-PPS plastic cages are applicable in other applications where high temperature and/or special conditions exist. Additional benefits of the material are that its strength and chemical stability change little, even when used with compressor oil, refrigerator oil or ammonia gas. Cages manufactured from L-PPS are available on both the new types of cylindrical roller and angular contact bearings that NSK has developed for use in screw compressors. In both types of bearings, substantial improvements in load capacity have been achieved by redesigning the bearing interior to take full advantage of the L-PPS plastic cages.
NSK UK Ltd : Mary Fletcher, Marketing Communications Specialist
Tel: 0500 2327464 Fax: 01636 643075
Web: www.nskeurope.com
Email: info-uk@nsk.com
Address: NSK UK Ltd, Northern Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2JF, UK
NSK Europe Ltd
- 01636 605 123
- info-uk@nsk.com
- Belmont Place, Belmont Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6TB GB
About us
Established over 100 years ago, NSK (Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha) is a Japanese-listed company that has evolved from a regional ball bearing supplier to a roller bearing specialist and automotive supplier with a global market presence. Today, NSK employs more than 31,400 employees in 30 countries. As per March 2019, NSK achieved sales of 991,4 billion Yen. This result has been driven by ever-increasing investment in research & development, enabling the company to continuously improve the quality of its products and services. This investment supports NSK’s objective of “No. 1 in Total Quality”. In addition to a complete rolling bearing portfolio, NSK develops and manufactures precision components and mechatronic products, as well as systems and components for the automotive industry, including wheel bearing units and electric power-steering systems. In 1963, NSK’s first European subsidiary, Düsseldorf, Germany, was opened and in 1976, the first European production facility in Peterlee, England. Today, NSK Europe supports pan-European sales with production locations in England, Poland and Germany, logistics centres in the Netherlands, Germany and England and technology centres in Germany, England and Poland. In 1990, NSK purchased the UPI Group including the renowned European bearing manufacturer RHP, with its factory in Newark (UK). Additionally, NSK has developed a comprehensive network of authorised sales distributors. NSK Europe is divided into application-based business divisions: Industry rolling bearing technologies & linear and precision technology (EIBU) as well as bearing modules and steering systems for the automotive industry (EABU & ESBU). In this organisation, NSK Europe's 4,260 employees achieved a turnover of over 1,045 million Euros as per March 2019.
Where we supply to
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
