Machined metal cages Machined steel cages Machined steel cages are normally made of non-alloyed structural S355GT (St 52) type steel in accordance with EN 10 025:1990 + :1993. To improve sliding and wear-resist- ance properties, some machined steel cages are surface treated. Machined steel cages are used for large bearings or in applications where there isa danger that season cracking, caused by a chemical reaction, may occur if a brass cage is used, Steel cages can be used at operating temperatures up to 300 °C (570 °F). They are not affected by the mineral or synthetic oil- based lubricants normally used for rolling bearings, or by the organic solvents used to clean bearings. Machined brass cages Most brass cages are machined from a CW612N cast or wrought brass in accordance with EN 1652. They are unaffected by most common bearing lubricants, including syn- thetic oils and greases, and can be cleaned using normal organic solvents. Brass cages should not be used at temperatures above 250°C (480 °F). Cage ageing life for glass bre reinforced polyamide 66 Cageageinglite(h] 100 000: 10000 1.000. 100 50 300 (120) (210) SKF Polymer cages Polyamide 66 For the majority of injection moulded cages, polyamide 66 (PAG6) is used. This material, with or without glass fibres, is characterized by a favourable combination of strength and elasticity. The mechanical properties like strength and elasticity of polymer materials are temperature dependent and subject to ageing. The most important factors that play a role in the ageing process are temperature, time and the medium (lubricant) to which the polymer is exposed. Diagram 4 shows the relationship between these factors for glass fibre reinforced PAG6. It shows that cage life decreases with increasing temperature and the aggressiveness of the lubricant. 150 (00) Materials for rolling bearings Diagram Mictubricans — Aggressvelubricants 200 30) Bearing temperature °C ("FI 153Bearing speci Therefore, whether polyamide cages are suitable for a specific application depends on the operating conditions and life require- ments. The classification of lubricants into aggressive” and “mild” is reflected by the ‘permissible operating temperature” for cages made of glass fibre reinforced PAG6 with vari- ous lubricants (—> table 18). The permissible operating temperature in table 18 is defined as the temperature that provides a cage age- ing life of at least 10 000 operating hours. ‘Some media are even more “aggressive than those provided in table 18. A typical ex- ample is ammonia, used as a refrigerant in compressors. In those cases, cages made of glass fibre reinforced PAG6 should not be used at operating temperatures above 70 °C (160 °F). Polyamide also has a low temperature limit because it loses its elasticity, which can cause cage failures under extremely cold conditions. Asa result, cages made of glass fibre reinforced PA66 should not be used in applications where the continuous operating temperature is below -40 °C (-40 °F). In applications where a high degree of toughness is a critical operational parameter, such as in railway axleboxes, a super-tough ‘modified PAG6 can be used. For additional in- formation, contact the SKF application engin- eering service, Tables Permissible operating temperatures for PAGS cages with various bearing lubricants Lubricant Permiasbe aperating temperature! Z z ze Minera ets OinartnoutEP actives, e9. machine oryeraui os 20 250 Oe with adtives, industria and automotive gearbox 110 no Oe wth E actives automate rear ante and dierent ea os (avtemtive 100 20 ryote gear Synthetic ois Polyiycls po-aiha-oerns 129 250 Desters sieones io Bo Phosphate esters Fi is Greases Cit greases 120 250 Polpured, bentonite, acum complexgreases 123 350 For sodium and calcium greases and other greases with amaximum operating temperature 120°C (250). themax mum temperature ora plyamide cages the same asthe ‘maximum operating temperature forthe grease 5 Measured an the outside surace fhe outer ing definedas the temperature hat provides a cage agua Te ofa Tease 30000 operating hours 154 SKF