Stainless Steel Bearings (AISI 440C / 316)
Characteristics: Corrosion resistance; non-magnetic options (316); passivated surfaces.
Advantages: Lifetime infinite in clean-in-place (CIP) food washdown vs. standard chrome steel (rusts in 24h). 30% lower torque than plastic bearings in wet environments.
Technical Ceiling: Hardness 58–60 HRC (440C) – reduced from 62 HRC of standard bearing steel; max speed 80% of chrome steel due to galling risk; pitting potential (no crevice corrosion in 3.5% NaCl).
Caution: Standard bearings in marine or food applications fail by rust jacking. However, 440C has lower load capacity (dynamic rating reduced by 15%). Never mix with brass cages in saline – galvanic corrosion.
Stainless Steel Bearings are precision anti-friction components manufactured from corrosion-resistant martensitic or austenitic stainless steels, providing excellent durability in wet, chemical, or high-humidity environments where standard chrome steel bearings would rapidly oxidize and fail. These bearings combine mechanical performance with superior environmental resistance.
