The disadvantages of gas-lubricated bearings
2025-09-14 08:47:12
Gas-lubricated bearings, while offering unique advantages in certain applications, come with several limitations that restrict their widespread use. One of the primary drawbacks is their low load-carrying capacity. Compared to oil-lubricated bearings, gas-lubricated bearings typically have a bearing capacity that is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower. For example, oil-lubricated bearings can support loads ranging from 0.5 to 2 MPa per unit area, whereas gas-lubricated bearings generally only handle 0.02 to 0.04 MPa. This makes them less suitable for heavy-duty or high-load applications.
Another challenge is their poor reliability. Gas-lubricated bearings are more prone to instability, such as air hammer vibrations and eddy-current-induced oscillations. These issues can lead to sudden failures, including jamming, shaft locking, or even catastrophic damage. Additionally, the thin gas film that supports the bearing requires extremely precise manufacturing, which increases both the cost and complexity of production. Features like spiral grooves, throttling orifices, and porous materials are often necessary, further driving up expenses.
Moreover, gas-lubricated bearings demand strict working conditions. They require a clean and controlled environment to function properly, as any contamination or deviation from operational guidelines can result in failure. This sensitivity limits their use in industrial settings where maintenance and environmental control may be difficult to maintain. As a result, despite their potential benefits, these bearings have not achieved the same level of commercial success as their oil-lubricated counterparts.
This article is organized and published by the respirator pump team.
All-copper Connecting Tube,Full Copper Air Conditioning Pipe
Suzhou Green New Material Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.szgreenvip.com