Sealed for life

SKF have introduced a sealed-for-life range of Explorer bearings that reduce grease consumption, lower life-cycle costs, and lower recycling costs.

To seal a spherical roller bearing there are several parameters to consider, such as: seal material, seal pressure (efficiency), broad axial and radial load ranges, wide temperature range, misalignment and different types of possible contamination. Extensive laboratory and field tests have confirmed the high performance of the sealed Explorer bearings under varying operating conditions.

The sealed bearings are supplied in normal and high-temperature versions. The normal version uses a nitrile-rubber double-lip seal and a standard grease. The high-temperature version has a fluoro-rubber seal and a high-temperature grease. The sealed bearings can withstand very high axial and radial loads and, like their unsealed counterparts, tolerate up to 0.5o misalignment. The new sealed units can be fitted as direct replacements for earlier SKF types.