Temperature limits and thermal expansion
The permissible operating temperature for polymer ball bearings is limited by the type of polymer (diagram 1). Where temperatures outside the permissible range or below 0 °C (30 °F) are expected, contact SKF.
In combination with the operating temperature, thermal expansion is also important. The coefficient of thermal expansion (diagram 2):
- enables designers to predict the effects that temperature has on bearing internal clearance
- can be up to 10 times greater for a polymer than for steel
- can vary considerably for different polymers