High-Performance Steel Improves Bearing Life

Vacrodur is a powder-metallurgically produced high-performance steel that is subjected to a special, multi-stage heat treatment process which results in a fine-grained structure of unparalleled homogeneity. The multi-stage heat treatment process generates extremely high hardness values of 65 HRC, which makes the bearing less sensitive to collisions than bearings produced from 100Cr6. If the lubricant becomes contaminated, the extensive material hardness leads to a reduction in the initial damage caused by the overrolling of foreign particles.

This special heat treatment process also gives Vacrodur remarkable thermal stability. The resulting robustness of spindle bearings produced from Vacrodur is particularly evident where there is insufficient lubricant supply. Such undesirable operating states are usually associated with sharply rising temperatures in rolling contact and lead to a considerable loss of hardness. In contrast, the thermal stability provided by Vacrodur ensures a considerable safety reserve.

Schaeffler Group USA Inc.