Dry Lube for High Precision Bearing

swiedmann · Mar 10, 2003

Were in the process of designing an optical instrument housing, and are considering a high-precision bearing (ABEC 5) for a rotating fixture.

The bearing has minimal clearance (0.0002&quot

. The torque on the bearing is extremely low, around 3-5 ounce-inches (assuming no pre-load via interference fit).
Since it is lab equipment, we would like to use a dry lube, and were thinking of Sprayon T.F.E.
Does anyone have a better recommendation, or is a light instrument oil required for this application?
Thanks for your help.

plasgears · Mar 10, 2003

I presume that the shaft is metallic and the bearing is plastic. Delrin has natural lubricity. So does HDPE. An initial drop of synthetic oil would be beneficial against slip-stick, considering the tight clearance and the possibility of some thermal interaction.

swiedmann · Mar 10, 2003

Thank you, plasgears, for your response. The bearing races and balls are AISI 52100 Heat Treated Steel. Would syntheic oil still work for this application when lubing this material?

plasgears · Mar 11, 2003

Synthetic lube like PAO is friendly to plastics. All or most polymer mfrs recommend initial lube on plastic parts.

plasgears · Mar 19, 2003

I failed to add that PAO is friendly to metallic components, too. In addition, the VI is very favorable, and the temp range is generally wide.

I had an application where we had to demonstrate start up at -40C. Petroleum base grease caused lock-up. PAO performed without lock-up with half the starting amps.

umreng · Oct 24, 2003

Try Plesh Revolube sealed bearings. (

http://www.plesh.com)

The graphite based lubricant is a solid that fills the cavity between the rolling elements and the inner and outer race.

Hippo41 · Oct 28, 2003

For high precision bearings like this you should get hold of someone like Timken Aerospace or Myonic (formerly RMB of Switzerland). They make plenty of high precision bearings with special coatings and dry lube for aerospace work.

Lester Milton
Telford, Shropshire, UK

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