PEEK machined parts: The raw materials used to make their bearing components largely determine the performance and reliability of rolling bearings. In order to meet the demanding applications of the automotive industry, engineers have begun to switch to high-performance materials such as PEEK-processed polymeric materials in the design of deep-groove ball bearings.
The cage is not only affected by mechanical stresses such as friction, tension and inertia, but also by the chemical action of certain lubricants, lubricating additives or their aged products, organic solvents or coolants. The relative impact of such matters may be affected by other operating parameters, including high temperatures, shock loads, vibrations, or combinations of such factors with other conditions. Therefore, design and materials play an important role in the performance of the cage and the operational reliability of the bearing itself. That's why engineers develop cage models based on PEEK machined polymer materials and design them for the highest demands of the automotive industry.
The characteristics of the polymeric material holder are the perfect combination of strength and elasticity. The polymeric material exhibits good sliding properties on the surface of the lubricated steel, while the surface of the cage that is in contact with the rolling elements has excellent smoothness, which together create extremely low friction, thereby maintaining the heat and wear of the bearing. At the lowest level. Low density materials mean low inertia of the cage. Even in the absence of lubricants, the polymeric material cage has excellent running properties, so there is no risk of jamming and secondary damage for the bearing to operate continuously for a period of time.
The material used in most injection molded cages is PA66 (polyamide 6,6). Mechanical properties such as strength and elasticity of polymeric materials are temperature dependent and produce permanent changes under working conditions - called aging. During the aging process, the temperature at which the polymer is exposed, the time elapsed, and the medium (lubricant) that is in contact are all critical factors. On the surface, the life of the cage is shortened with increasing temperature and lubricant aggressiveness. Some media are extremely aggressive, making cages made of glass reinforced polyamide 6,6 not used at operating temperatures above +70 ¡ãC. A typical example is ammonia used as a refrigerant in a compressor.
It is for this reason that engineers use glass-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in their cages to meet applications such as alternators or transformers that have stringent requirements for high speed, chemical attack or high temperatures. The performance of PEEK workpieces is distinguished by their outstanding strength and toughness, wide operating temperature range, high chemical and wear resistance and ease of processing. Not only that, at temperatures up to +200 ¡ã C, this material does not show signs of aging due to temperature and lubricant additives. With these outstanding features, PEEK workpiece holders are perfectly suited for ball and roller bearings (such as hybrid or high precision bearings) and some custom automotive bearing types.
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