SKF bearings with Solid Oil

the third lubrication choice

There are three ways to ensure good oil
lubrication of a ball or roller bearing.
1. Supply oil directly
2. Supply oil in thickened form as grease
3. Solid Oil where the oil is retained in
a polymer matrix. Solid Oil was develop-
ed for use in applications where the two
traditional methods above cannot be used
Solid Oil has unique advantages
I
It keeps the oil in position
I
It brings more oil to the bearing than
grease
I
It keeps contaminants out
I
It makes maintenance unnecessary
no relubrication needed
I
It does not need seals
I
It is environmentally friendly
I
It is resistant to chemicals
I
It can withstand large g forces
What is Solid Oil?
Solid Oil is a polymer matrix, saturated with a
lubricating oil, which completely fills the in-
ternal space in a bearing and encapsulates the
cage and rolling elements. Solid Oil uses the
cage as a reinforcement element and rotates
with it. By releasing the oil, Solid Oil provides
good lubrication for the rolling elements and
raceways during operation.
The polymer material has a porous structure
with millions of micro-pores which hold the
lubricating oil. The pores are so small that the
oil is retained in the material by surface tension.
Oil represents an average of 70 % by weight of
the material.
The oil-filled polymer material is pressed into
the bearing. A very narrow gap will form around
the rolling elements and raceways during the
moulding process, allowing the bearing com-
ponents to rotate freely. The oil which seeps
into the gap will provide good lubrication for
the bearing right from the start.
Millions of micro-pores
retain the oil in Solid Oil.
SKF bearings with Solid Oil
the third lubrication choice
Solid Oil forms a narrow
gap around the rolling
elements and raceways.
The oil in the micro
pores will seep into the
gap.
When should Solid Oil be used?
In most applications, ordinary greases and
lubricating oils will provide satisfactory lubrica-
tion to the bearing giving it an acceptable service
life. However, there may be cases where lack
of accessibility means that relubrication is
virtually impossible, or where very good con-
taminant exclusion is required. Solid Oil may
be the answer, as it provides lubrication for
life and good sealing.
The Solid Oil advantages
It keeps the oil in position
A metallic surface sliding against Solid Oil is
guaranteed an even and consistent film of oil.
A moderate increase in temperature will cause
oil to be pushed towards the surface of the
polymer matrix as the thermal expansion of
the oil is greater than that of the polymer
matrix. The viscosity of the oil will also de-
crease with increasing temperature. When the
bearing stops running, excess oil will be re-
absorbed by the polymer matrix.
It brings more oil to the bearing
A bearing with Solid Oil contains two to four
times more oil than a conventional grease-
lubricated bearing. This is because the bearing
is completely filled with the Solid Oil, whereas
a grease-lubricated bearing normally operates
with approximately one third of its free in-
ternal space filled with grease.
It keeps contaminants out
As the bearing is completely filled with the
Solid Oil it is difficult for contaminants to
penetrate. To reinforce this protection it is
recommended, where appropriate, to fill the
free space in the bearing housing with a suit-
able grease.
It makes maintenance unnecessary
Relubrication is not required as Solid Oil con-
tains such a large reservoir of oil that it will
outlast the life of the bearing.
It does not need seals
Seals are not needed to retain the lubricant in
the bearing, for example on vertical shafts.
However, if the arrangement already incorp-
orates seals, they should be retained as extra
protection against contamination.
It is environmentally friendly
Solid Oil is environmentally friendly as it will
not leak from the bearing.
It is resistant to chemicals
The polymer matrix of the Solid Oil is unaf-
fected by most chemicals. However, organic
solvents, e.g. kerosene, will remove the oil
from the polymer matrix.
It withstands large g forces
The bearing with the Solid Oil forms a solid
unit from which the lubricant cannot be ex-
pelled even when subjected to considerable
centrifugal force
A Solid Oil bearing
contains between two
and four times more oil
than a corresponding
grease-lubricated
bearing.
Typical Solid Oil
application areas
I
dirty or humid
I
aggressive
chemicals
I
very cold
I
centrifugal forces
I
vertical shafts
I
hard to reach
I
oscillating
movements
I
high cleanliness
demands
Papermaking
Solid Oil has been found beneficial in the
papermaking industry. First in the wood treat-
ment process where it protects the bearing
against impurities and then in pulp preparation
where the chemical stability of the polymer is
invaluable. In the papermaking machine itself,
Solid Oil has been used successfully on the
wire rolls of the wet section. Finally the Solid
Oil has the advantage when cutting the paper
to size as the absence of lubricant leakage
means clean paper.
Equipment for snow and ice
Solid Oil has a very low starting torque in the
cold compared with grease as the rolling ele-
ments do not need to overcome the stiffness of
a grease. This energy-saving property has been
appreciated, for example, in bearings for ski
lifts and piste machinery.
Pneumatically operated couplings
When the bearing outer ring rotates in a grease-
lubricated bearing arrangement, grease is thrown
out of the bearing and inadequate lubrication
may result. The expelled grease is deposited on
the engaging members and the function of the
coupling is endangered. These problems have
been completely eliminated using Solid Oil.
Cranes and traverses
The freedom from maintenance provided by
Solid Oil can be exploited in many applica-
tions where bearings are difficult to reach,
e.g. over-head cranes and hoists.
Mixers
In equipment used to stir and mix chemicals,
e.g. electrolytes for dry cell batteries, the res-
istance of Solid Oil to aggressive substances
is valuable.
Solid Oil applications
Solid Oil keeps contam-
inants out during the
wood treatment pro-
cess.
Solid Oil does not leak
oil onto the paper.
Solid Oil tolerates the
chemicals in the pulp
preparation process
and the humidity in the
wire roll section.
In addition
it is important that lubricant does not leak
and pollute when polishing chips in the elec-
tronic industry.
this is also important in the food processing
industry. Solid Oil will not be washed out by
high-pressure cleaning as is the case with
normal lubricating greases. However, if such
cleaning is applied the bearing arrangement
must be allowed to dry to minimise the risk of
rust forming in the bearing due to entrained
water. The bearing arrangement should always
be inspected after such an incident.
Solid Oil is also insensitive to impurities
such as flour dust. Leakage which would con-
taminate the process will not occur.
in certain printing presses where the print-
ing ink solvent can quickly wash grease out of
a bearing.
in pumps and agitators in sewage works,
where sludge contaminates the bearings.
Solid Oil is useful in
inaccessible positions.
In a ski lift Solid Oil is
appreciated. It does
not leak oil on the
passengers and in the
cold it has much lower
starting torque than
grease, which saves
energy.
Composition of Solid Oil
Solid Oil is normally produced with a very
high quality synthetic oil which is suitable for
most applications.
Oil viscosity 140 mm
2
/s at 40 C
19 mm
2
/s at 100 C
Oils having other viscosities can also be used
successfully, as can special oils for the food
industry. Additives, such as rust inhibitors,
can be added to Solid Oil to provide extra
protection.
Bearing types available
Most normal sizes of SKF ball and roller bear-
ings can be supplied with the Solid Oil.
Bearings fitted with large-volume cages made
of polyamide or machined brass are less
favourable for Solid Oil, see speeds table.
Bearings with Solid Oil are identified by the
designation suffix W64.
Temperature limits
The temperature limits for bearings lubricated
with Solid Oil, measured on the bearing outer
ring, are:
Max. continuous
operating temperature 85 C
Max. intermittent
operating temperature 95 C
Min. start-up
temperature (standard oil) 40 C
Bearings with Solid Oil can be heated
to a maximum of 100 C for mounting
purposes
Load carrying capacity
The basic dynamic load ratings for the Solid
Oil bearings are the same as for the corres-
ponding standard bearings.
Limiting speeds
An indication of the limiting speeds is given
below by the n d
m
factor rotational speed
(r/min) times the bearing mean diameter (mm).
It is important to remember that the higher the
speed, the higher the operating temperature. It
may therefore be necessary to limit the bearing
speed for high temperature operation so that
the temperature limit for the Solid Oil is not
exceeded. As with most lubricants, the theoret-
ical bearing life is extended if the operating
temperature is kept low.
Technical data
W64
Bearings with Solid Oil
have suffix W64.
Limits of Solid Oil
I
Temperature
I
Speed
SKF bearing type n d
m
(max)
Single row deep
groove ball bearings 300 000
Angular contact
ball bearings 150 000
Self-aligning
ball bearings 150 000
Cylindrical roller
bearings 150 000
Spherical roller bearings
E-design 42 500
other designs 85 000
Taper roller bearings 45 000
Ball bearings with
polyamide cage 40 000
(including Y-bearings)
n d
m
= n 0,5 (d + D)
where
n = speed, r/min
d = bearing bore diameter, mm
D = bearing outside diameter, mm
These speed limits apply to open (unsealed)
bearings. For bearings with integral seals 80 %
of the quoted values should be used.
Generally, when bearings with Solid Oil are
to operate under extreme conditions, it is ad-
visable to contact SKF for advice and support.
If the operating con-
ditions are extreme,
please contact SKF for
advice and support.
Copyright SKF 1999
The contents of this publication are the
copyright of the publisher and may not
be reproduced (even extracts) unless
permission is granted. Every care has
been taken to ensure the accuracy of
the information contained in this publica-
tion but no liability can be accepted
for any loss or damage whether direct,
indirect or consequential arising out of
the use of the information contained
herein.
Publication 4827 E
Printed in Sweden on environmentally
friendly, chlorine-free paper (Multiart
Silk) by SG id och tryck ab.