Engine & Turbine Technology
Bearing up turbine challenges
In the adverse and constantly changing environmental conditions, both on and offshore, efficient and continuous power generation from turbines demands top performance from every component – especially bearings.
Fig. 1. NSK provides individually tailored, environmentally conscious bearing solutions which must deliver reliability, resistance to heat and seizure, and long life.
A
s part of its development of wind turbine bearings that are ever more reliable, longer lasting and robust – even at high speeds – NSK harnesses and co-ordinates the capabilities of its
technology centres in Europe, America and Asia. Tese centres conduct research and development in four core technology areas: Tribology, Materials Engineering, Analysis Technology and Mechatronics. Investment in these four core technologies is
really paying off for the global wind industry. For example, research into materials engineering has led to the development of Z and Super Tough steels that produce much improved life compared to high carbon chromium bearing steel (SAE52100, SUJ2), which is
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usually employed for rolling bearings. Z Steel, with lower oxide non-metallic inclusions,
delivers significantly extended service life, up to 1.8 times longer, compared to conventional vacuum degassed (SUJ2) steel. Even greater life performance is delivered by Super Tough (Super TF) steel. As a result of higher chromium and residual austenite content, the service life of a bearing made of Super TF material is up to ten- times longer than for one manufactured from standard material. Te performance and versatility of Super TF technology means that it can be used in a wide range of bearing designs: cylindrical roller bearings, taper roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings and angular contact ball bearings.
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