Biomass-Derived Bearing Cage Composition With Low Water Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synthetic resin-made cages for rolling bearings are typically made from polyamide 66 reinforced with glass fibers, which have a significant environmental impact due to petroleum-derived materials and carbon dioxide emissions, and do not fully align with carbon neutrality goals.
Innovation Solution
A 100% biomass-derived synthetic resin-made cage for rolling bearings is developed using polyamide 410, a plant-derived material, combined with a reinforcing material like glass fiber, to create a cage with improved mechanical properties and reduced environmental footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polyamide 66 resin reinforced with glass fiber is used for the cage, then mechanical strength and structural stability are improved, but environmental impact increases due to petroleum-derived materials and carbon dioxide emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material composition parameter from petroleum-derived polyamide 66 to 100% biomass-derived polyamide (specifically polyamide 410 from tetramethylenediamine and sebacic acid). This parameter change maintains mechanical strength through optimized resin composition (80-95 wt% polyamide 410) and glass fiber content (5-20 wt%), while eliminating the harmful environmental factor of petroleum dependency and reducing carbon footprint to achieve carbon neutrality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system combining polyamide 410 resin with glass fiber reinforcement. This composite structure maintains the mechanical strength required for bearing cage applications while the biomass-derived polyamide 410 component provides environmental benefits. The composite formulation includes specific ratios of polyamide 410 (80-95 wt%) and glass fiber (5-20 wt%) to balance mechanical performance and environmental sustainability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If 100% biomass-derived raw material is used for the cage, then environmental friendliness and carbon neutrality are improved, but mechanical properties and performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a composite material system where polyamide 410 resin (80-95 wt%) is combined with glass fiber reinforcement (5-20 wt%). The glass fiber provides mechanical strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability, while the polyamide 410 matrix provides the necessary toughness and environmental benefits. This composite structure ensures that the cage meets mechanical performance requirements for bearing applications while maintaining 100% biomass-derived composition for carbon neutrality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the composition parameters of the polyamide 410-based cage material, specifically controlling the resin content (80-95 wt%) and glass fiber content (5-20 wt%). Additionally, the polyamide 410 is derived from specific biomass sources (tetramethylenediamine and sebacic acid from plant-derived raw materials). These parameter optimizations ensure that mechanical performance is maintained despite using 100% biomass-derived materials
3Ease of manufacture
If polyamide 66 resin is used for the cage, then ease of manufacture and availability are improved, but water absorption and dimensional changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the resin type parameter from polyamide 66 to polyamide 410 derived from biomass sources. Polyamide 410 has inherently lower water absorption characteristics compared to polyamide 66 due to its molecular structure. This parameter change reduces water absorption and subsequent dimensional changes, improving dimensional stability while maintaining ease of manufacture through injection molding processes. The polyamide 410 resin is processed similarly to conventional polyamides, ensuring manufacturability is preserved
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are: an environment-friendly synthetic resin cage that uses a 100% biomass raw material and therefore aims for carbon neutrality while having performance as a bearing in a conventional process; and a rolling bearing incorporating said cage. A crown-type cage for holding a plurality of rolling elements incorporated between an inner ring and an outer ring is produced with a polyamide resin composition containing a 100% biomass-derived raw material with a reinforcing material contained therein, wherein the raw material is polyamide 410 and 10-40 wt % of the reinforcing material is contained therein.