Bearings are a necessary component of any material handling and conveying device. From conveyors in a sand and gravel pit to food packaging equipment, without bearings, many industries wouldn’t be able to function. Many industries require specialty bearings to operate.  For example, industries like food manufacturing or packaging require bearings that combat corrosion, so it’s helpful to understand the benefits of these specialized products.

Why Material Handling and Conveying Bearings Corrode

Corrosion severely inhibits the ability of material handling and conveying machines to operate efficiently. It can require more energy and expensive downtime if a failure occurs. Of the more common causes are, ingress of moisture, contaminants, and cleaning chemicals.  Even something as small as condensation in the air can cause corrosion. Bearing contamination can occur when the bearing comes into contact with corrosive materials like acids and oils from foods or dirt and grit from other environments.  Also, if you see red or brown areas on the bearings, increased vibration during operation or greater radial clearance and noise, you may have worn out or corroded bearings. 

You can prevent the bearings from corroding and avoid costly replacements by employing one of the following strategies. You can keep corrosive fluids far away from the bearings and avoid excessive moisture in the air. You can also use PTI/IPTCI bearings that are specifically designed to resist corrosion. These bearings are created using materials that are naturally corrosion-resistant, such as stainless steel, plastic, or plated. Choosing these types of bearings maximizes the operation of your machinery, require fewer replacements over time and is more FDA friendly. 

After selecting the correct corrosion resistance for your bearing, don’t forget to lubricate.  Lubrication is quite possibly the simplest means of increased of corrosion resistance and bearing life.

To find the best corrosion-resistant bearings for your material handling and conveying equipment, contact the experts at Industrial Component Sales in Bemidji, MN. For almost 20 years, they’ve been the premier provider of industrial components for food, sand and gravel, packaging and agricultural