Empowering Steel Production with Schaeffler's Spherical Plain Bearings 

High-strength steel (HSS) is rapidly gaining traction in the global market, projected to grow from $31 billion in 2019 to $54 billion by 2027 at a steady rate of 7.4% annually. The Asia Pacific region leads this growth, accounting for over 60% of the market. HSS's strength, lightness, and versatility make it indispensable in steel production, particularly for applications demanding robust performance and durability. 

Steel production benefits significantly from HSS due to its enhanced durability and reduced energy consumption compared to traditional steel. This makes HSS a more sustainable option for businesses. Additionally, its superior properties result in fewer equipment failures and breakdowns, boosting production efficiency and lowering overall operating expenses in steel mills. 

Another pivotal component in modern steel production is the Spherical Plain Bearing. These advanced bearings are crucial for managing heavy loads, accommodating oscillating movements, and compensating for misalignments in steel production equipment. Innovations in bearings have further supported the industry in achieving smoother operations and extended equipment life. 

The increasing adoption of HSS and advanced bearing technologies like spherical plain bearings is essential for the evolution and optimization of modern steel production, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability. 

The role of Spherical Plain Bearings in steel production  

Spherical plain bearings are essential components in steel production equipment, where they are responsible for managing heavy loads, accommodating oscillating movements, and compensating for misalignments.  

Application: Converter

Caption: Converter in a steel mill 

In the steel industry, converters are essential for transforming raw materials into high-quality steel. They convert pig iron to crude steel, reduce carbon and nitrogen, and add necessary alloying elements. Precision in these tasks is crucial for maintaining steel quality and production efficiency. 

Operating converters in such an intense environment is no small feat, especially when faced with: 

1. High loads and misalignment: Stress on trunnion bearings  
2. Shock loads, heat, and dirt: Conditions degrade machinery
3. Mixed-friction lubrication: Crucial yet difficult to prevent wear

Schaeffler’s maintenance-free spherical plain bearings for this application offer: 

• Superior load capacity: Designed for both radial and axial loads, ensuring reliable performance even under heavy conditions. 
• Maintenance-free reliability: Ideal for vessel mounting and torque supports, eliminating frequent lubrication and minimizing downtime. 

Incorporating spherical plain bearings enables steel industry converters to operate more efficiently and consistently under severe conditions. These advanced bearings reduce maintenance, extend equipment life, and enhance cost-effective steel production.  

Application: Ladle turret 

Caption: Ladle turret in a steel mill

In the steel industry, continuous casting machines rely on ladle turrets to load liquid steel and manoeuvre ladles between casting and tapping. Efficient operation is crucial for productivity and safety.

Challenges include: 

1. Extreme heat: High temperatures damage machinery. 
2. Persistent Dirt: Contaminants degrade components. 
3. Space Constraints: Compact, robust designs are essential. 

Schaeffler’s maintenance-free spherical plain bearings for this application offer: 

1. Superior load capacity: Designed for both radial and axial loads, ensuring reliable performance even under heavy conditions. 
2. Maintenance-free reliability: 
   • ELGOGLIDE® Sliding Layer: Low contact pressure and minimal friction for efficiency and longevity. 
   • PTFE Composite: Low friction, high load capacity for general use. 

By incorporating spherical plain bearings, ladle turrets in the steel industry run smoother and more reliably, reducing maintenance, extending equipment life, and ensuring consistent, cost-effective production.  

Durability & equipment longevity 

Spherical plain bearings allow spatial adjustment movements and, depending on the bearing type, can support radial, combined or axial loads. Take a look at some of these examples below. 

• ELGOGLIDE Spherical Plain Bearings: ELGOGLIDE bearings use PTFE-based sliding materials for low-friction applications. They are suitable for dynamic loads and come with maintenance-free sliding layers. 
• PTFE Sliding Surfaces: Schaeffler offers various PTFE-based sliding materials for different applications, including compact radial spherical plain bearings and those with small dimensions. 
• X-fold Bearings: X-fold bearings offer a longer lifespan, higher load capacity, and greater performance density than standard bearings. This allows longer maintenance intervals or higher load support without changing the design. 

Advantages of maintenance-free Spherical Plain Bearings: 

• No lubrication needed: Ideal for hard-to-reach areas. 
• Long lifespan and durability: Resistant to wear and tear. 
• Wide operating temperature range: Can withstand temperature fluctuations. 
• High operational safety: Low maintenance costs and minimal downtime. 
• Additional seals: For low-friction and torque-free applications. 

Schaeffler's advanced manufacturing techniques and design improvements result in better surface quality, optimised load distribution, and reduced parasitic currents. This leads to longer bearing life and reduced maintenance costs. 

Click here to learn more about our Spherical Plain Bearings.

Environmental impact of Spherical Plain Bearings 

The use of spherical plain bearings significantly reduces friction and wear, leading to energy savings and a dramatic decrease in oil-based lubricant consumption. This results in lower CO2 emissions and longer equipment life. 

Key innovations and benefits: 

• Fewer bearing replacements: Reduces waste and energy consumption. 
• Lower lubricant consumption: Enhances environmental sustainability and cost savings. 
• Increased efficiency: Lower friction boosts performance. 
• Extended electric vehicle range: Reduces friction by up to 56% in heavy commercial vehicles. 
• Lower CO2 emissions: Reduces friction by 80% compared to traditional sealed bearings, extending service life. 

Conclusion 

The steel industry's evolution relies heavily on advanced materials and technologies to meet rising demands for efficiency, durability, and sustainability. High-strength steel (HSS) exemplifies these advances, but the role of spherical plain bearings in optimizing steel production is equally crucial. Schaeffler, a motion technology company, leads the way with its maintenance-free spherical plain bearings. These bearings are designed to manage heavy loads, accommodate oscillating movements, and compensate for misalignments in critical applications like converters and ladle turrets. 

Schaeffler’s innovations, including the ELGOGLIDE® and PTFE Composite sliding layers, offer superior load capacity and maintenance-free reliability, tackling challenges such as extreme heat, persistent dirt, and space constraints. By incorporating these advanced bearings, steel mills can achieve smoother operations, reduce maintenance, extend equipment life, and enhance overall production efficiency. Furthermore, Schaeffler's solutions contribute to environmental sustainability by lowering friction, reducing CO2 emissions, and minimizing lubricant consumption. 

Schaeffler’s spherical plain bearings are indispensable for the steel industry, ensuring robust performance and supporting the quest for more consistent, cost-effective, and sustainable steel production.  

Click here to find out more about our bearings and solutions for the steel industry.

Sources: 

• High Strength Steel Market (2024), Fortune Business Insights: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/high-strength-steel-market-101854 
• Schaeffler’s Plain Bearings, Schaeffler Thailand: https://medias.schaeffler.co.th/en/plainbearings
• Low friction, low wear and long life: spherical plain bearings and rod ends from Schaeffler, Bearing News https://www.bearing-news.com/low-friction-low-wear-and-long-life-spherical-plain-bearings-and-rod-ends-from-schaeffler

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