Tip Sheet: The Top 5 Things to Know About Aluminum for Industrial Bearing Replacement

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Oct. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- North Charleston, SC – Companies are looking for ways to go green and replace materials in their products, like fluid film bearings, www.wheelerfluidfilmbearings.com, to have less of an environmental impact, yet still have reliable performance. Bearings used to have high levels of lead and cadmium, but can now use aluminum alloys. Aluminum replaces bronze and Babbitted bearings that once had harmful materials. Here are the top tips to know before choosing a manufacturer to create bearings for your replacement needs using aluminum alloys.

1.       Know the aluminum alloy is RoHS compliant.

RoHS compliant means that the material follows the regulations put forth from the Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances, which lead, cadmium, and several other harmful materials. RoHS compliance also means that aluminum bearing manufacturers, www.wheelerfluidfilmbearings.com/aluminum-products, document and test the materials. Many companies that produce products are bound by law to be RoHS compliant.

2.       Choose Aluminum industrial bearing replacement that is green.

Choosing aluminum alloy for bearings helps companies go green without sacrificing quality and reliability. Using aluminum that is environmentally friendly makes the bearings suitable for food processing and other industries that require sensitive materials. Aluminum alloys are also recyclable, which provides companies with economic benefits.

Aluminum fluid film bearings provide strength and improve fatigue while cutting out the weight and cost for materials. Companies can also use the “go green” information in marketing materials to aware customers that with to reduce their environmental impact.

3.       Know the additional benefits of aluminum products.

Aluminum alloys reduce the weight of the product as compared to materials like copper based alloys. Aluminum alloys provide less of a cost than traditional bearings. Also compared to traditional bearings, aluminum is resistant to corrosive materials in lubricants, have more compatibility with steel mechanical, and are capable of withstanding high speeds and high shock loads.

4.       Benefit from experienced high tech aluminum manufacturers and designers

Aluminum castings manufacturers, www.wheelerfluidfilmbearings.com/aluminum-products, and design engineers that you choose should be experienced in prototype and/or high production runs. They need to provide you with examples of implementations of aluminum alloy products that are successful in the industries similar to yours. The manufacturer you choose should provide you with quick turnaround and minimize down time.

5.       Know the aluminum alloys to use for your industry.

These are the aluminum alloys that are suitable for the following industries and productions:

·         A850.1; A852.1
Suitable for compressors, seals, deflectors, track rolls, engines

·         A850-T5
Widely used in the automotive industry

·         ZA-6; ZA-12; ZA-27
Zinc-aluminum alloys are suitable for pulley, pumps, and mills

There are several markets that have adopted aluminum alloys for lead and cadmium precision bearing replacement that have had success:

Automotive
Transportation
Packaging
Oil prospecting equipment
Construction
Applications

The applications for use with aluminum bearings compass a wide range of products. Industries around the world can use aluminum bearings in their products to provide a more impactful product that markets itself to their customers, follows required regulations, and provides cost savings for the business.

About Wheeler Industries, Inc.

For close to a century, Wheeler has been helping industry solve their bearing needs by providing world-class manufacturing, rebabbitting services and design assistance. Recently, Wheeler and General Electric Support Services have become partners in supplying bearings, oil rings and seals to industry.

Together we maintain the largest inventory in the world of replacement motor parts for any urgent or planned requirement.

Since 1919, Wheeler Industries has led the field in the manufacture and repair of industrial babbitt and bronze bearings and component parts. Our 17,000 square foot manufacturing site houses an in-house foundry, cutting-edge technology and equipment, 40,000+ drawings, and ~ in concert with General Electric Support Services ~ provides you with access to the largest inventory of replacement motor parts in the world.

You can expect the members of our customer support staff to be knowledgeable and friendly. At Wheeler you get a person, not a recording. You get a dedicated account manager so you don’t have to re-invent the wheel every time you call. You get a one year warranty for your product. OEM customers get overnight shipment. All others get really fast service.