Co-Molded Bearing Inner Ring for Corrosion-Resistant Load Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bearing units used in the food and beverage industry face rapid corrosion of exposed metal surfaces, particularly the radially inner ring, despite the use of stainless steel, which compromises corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A bearing unit with a radially inner ring composed of a stainless steel collar and two sleeves made of reinforced polymeric material, co-molded on opposite sides, ensuring mechanical strength and improved corrosion resistance without compromising nominal load values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel is used for the radially inner ring, then mechanical strength is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radially inner ring is constructed as a composite structure combining stainless steel collar and polymeric material sleeves. The stainless steel collar provides mechanical strength and structural support, while the polymeric material sleeves provide corrosion resistance. This composite approach allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously by assigning different material functions to different parts of the same component.
2Reliability
If polymeric material is used for the radially inner ring, then corrosion resistance is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of stainless steel collar with polymeric material sleeves allows the system to overcome the weakness of polymeric materials in mechanical strength by combining them with high-strength stainless steel. The collar provides the necessary structural support while the polymeric sleeves maintain corrosion resistance.
3Strength
If carbon content in stainless steel is increased, then surface hardness is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radially inner ring is segmented into two functional parts: the stainless steel collar that provides surface hardness and structural support, and the polymeric material sleeves that provide corrosion resistance. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the radially inner ring have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The collar region has high hardness for load bearing, while the sleeve regions have high corrosion resistance for environmental protection. Each part's material composition is locally optimized for its role.
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing unit with rolling bodies for use in the food and beverage industry, for example, is disclosed herein. The example embodiments disclosed herein provide that of a bearing unit comprising a radially inner ring including a stainless steel collar with a raceway, on which two sleeves made of reinforced polymeric material are co-molded on opposite sides. Such example embodiments incorporate corrosion resistance properties of a polymeric material without losing the surface hardness properties. As such, the radially inner ring of the bearing unit offers same nominal load values as inner rings are made entirely of metal, but with better corrosion resistance without losing the surface hardness properties.