Stainless Steel Linear Bearings and Guides

Euro-Bearings Ltd stocks a wide range of linear motion products. We are able to offer a variety of products in stainless steel when corrosion resistance is required. Our technical sales team have many years of expertise and are able to guide you with selecting the best product for your application.

Stainless Steel Linear Bearings and Stainless Steel Shafts:

These linear bearings offer high corrosion resistance due to the special characteristics of martensitic stainless steel. The hardening process leads to an increased service life and a higher load capacity.

The linear bearings are available in closed (KB50) and open (KB53) types along with a range of round flanged versions including FK10 (standard length), FK90 (tandem length) and TF00 (centre flanged).

In addition to this, the SK-n super ball bushings and CLBn compact ball bushings are available with electroless nickel coating to the bush and stainless steel balls. Alternatively the LBBRn is a stainless steel linear bearing with compact design.

The X90CrMoV18 stainless steel shafts are hardened and polished linear bearing shafts, and are available from ø3mm to ø50mm. They can be supplied cut to length or machined to your requirements.

Stainless Steel Linear Guide Rails:

The profiled rail linear guides of the motion guidance systems offer high precision and smooth operation.

All of the Miniature Motion Guidance range (sizes 7 to 20) are made from stainless steel as standard.

The Aluminium Motion Guidance range is also corrosion resistant as the raceways and balls are made from stainless steel. It is available in sizes 15, 20 and 25.

Track guidance linear motion

The Track Guidance System can also be supplied as corrosion resistant – the carriages can be supplied with stainless steel bearings and the rails with stainless steel shafts.

Stainless Steel Spline Nuts and Shafts:

The SSP and SPF spline nuts can be supplied in stainless steel with a resin cage, for diameters up to 25mm. The ground spline shaft is available in stainless steel for the corresponding sizes. Other diameters are available with black chrome plating on request.

Stainless Steel Vee Bearings:

When used in conjunction with the Vee rail and Vee bushings, the Vee bearings linear system is suitable for harsh environments with high speed capabilities, medium accuracy and low noise. The Vee bearings, Vee bushes and Vee rails are all available in stainless steel.

Corrosion Resistant Combined Roller Bearings and Rails:

combined roller bearing with TDC coating

For heavy duty linear motion applications, Euro-Bearings Ltd’s Combined Roller Bearings are often the best solution.

The bearings can be Thin Dense Chromium (TDC) coated to provide corrosion resistance and the rails can either be TDC coated for maximum protection, or galvanised / painted. If the rails are galvanised or painted, the surface of the rail in contact with the bearing must remain free of coating to preventing flaking. The standard combined roller bearings are available from ø52mm to ø149mm, with sizes up to ø390mm in the Jumbo range. The rails are available in C or I sections and are cut to the required length.

The bearings and rails can be configured for vertical, horizontal or cantilevered applications and can be used to make telescopic arrangements too. Example arrangements can be found on our website. This system is particularly tolerant of dirt as the bearings are sealed.

Conclusion:

With a wide range of corrosion resistant linear bearings to choose from, you can be certain to find something suitable for your linear motion application. Our technical sales are always happy to help, so please call or email to discuss.

Corrosion Resistant Linear Motion

combined roller bearing with TDC coating

In some applications, it is necessary to specify corrosion resistant products (e.g. food, drink & pharmaceuticals) while in other applications it may be desirable but not essential (e.g. offshore, external use). While a few linear motion products are available in stainless steel, there are often high prices, long lead times & lower load capacities associated with specifying stainless steel.

So what options are there?

For light duty applications there are a few options available in stainless steel. For example miniature motion guidance, round shaft linear products and track guidance systems.

For heavy duty applications there is little choice but some products can be made corrosion resistant by the use of coatings. The most effective coating for linear motion systems is Thin Dense Chromium (TDC). TDC coating provides a hard finish which is able to withstand the high contact load between the bearing and its corresponding track.

Which Products are available?

Euro-Bearings Ltd can offer Combined Roller Bearings with TDC coating to provide a heavy duty corrosion resistant linear motion system. The bearings retain their load capacities (unlike stainless steel alternatives) and maintenance and downtime can be reduced. The TDC coating can also be applied to the rails (channel) and flanged clamps if desired. The combined roller bearings offer a versatile linear motion system which can be used in horizontal, vertical or cantilevered applications.

Euro-Bearings Ltd’s Combined Roller Bearings & Rails with TDC corrosion resistant coating

Another linear motion system to benefit from TDC coating is Vee bearings. While the Vee bearings themselves can be supplied in stainless steel, the T rail to suit the bearings is not so readily available due to the high costs associated with stainless steel. The rails can be TDC coated after any necessary fabrication work and the lead time can be as little as two weeks.

What should I choose?

Every linear motion application should be assessed individually. Use our flow chart to help select which product might be suitable, or ask our technical sales team for advice.

If corrosion resistance is required then consider the following products:

Light to medium duty –
Miniature Motion Guidance (Stainless steel)
Linear bearings & shafts (Stainless steel)
Track Guidance System (Stainless steel)
Exterior Slide System (Aluminium & Delrin)
Vee Bearings & Rails (Stainless steel or TDC coated)

Heavy duty –
Combined Roller Bearings (TDC coated) & Channel (TDC coated or Stainless steel)
Linear bearings & shafts (Stainless steel – small range & lead times are likely to be long)

Summary

Traditionally, corrosion resistance of linear motion products has been provided in the form of stainless steel. However, today, coatings such as Thin Dense Chromium can provide corrosion resistance to bearings without compromising on load capacities and incurring long lead times.

Stainless Steel Channel for Combined Roller Bearings

Corrosion resistant combined roller bearings and rails / channels
Stainless Steel Rail for Combined Roller Bearings

Is corrosion resistance is an important factor in the design of your linear motion system? Take a look at our stainless steel rails together with our corrosion resistant combined roller bearings. When used with the combined roller bearings, these rails offer good load capacities and are suitable for a wide variety of applications. The system can be horizontal, vertical and even cantilevered!

Stainless steel EC053 (to suit 52.5mm ø bearing) is now available from stock. Other sizes on request.

Our technical sales team are on hand to answer any questions.

Corrosion Resistant Linear Motion System

Our aluminium motion guidance system is now fully corrosion resistant. The profiled linear rails are made from aluminium with stainless steel inserts and the carriages have stainless steel balls. The carriages are available in standard and flanged styles and there are three sizes available. The rails can be specified as either top or bottom mounting. This lightweight system is ideal for exterior applications or where there is a requirement for low ferrous content.

Stainless Steel Anti-Vibration Engine Mounts

stainless steel marine mount

Our latest product is a stainless steel anti-vibration mount. It is available in two sizes – SS MCM 01 and SS MCM 02. This captive mount can be used to mount engines & generators in marine environments. The mounting hole is captive between the top and bottom plates to ensure that the AV mount remains failsafe should the rubber shear.

We also have a range of Male-Male (MMSS) and Female-Female (FFSS) mounts in Stainless Steel.