Plain Linear Bearings vs Linear Ball Bearings in Washdown

Linear bearings face a major challenge from the wash-down process used in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical production. Frequent high-pressure spraying of water or caustic chemicals can penetrate seals, corrode linear motion components, and cause catastrophic system failure, potentially contaminating the final product.

Linear ball bearings, made of steel prone to rusting, are not designed to withstand wash-down applications. They require significant lubrication and have internal areas that can harbor bacteria. Even with seals and bellows, immersion and wash-down processes inevitably cause rusting of the bearings. Over time, rust particles break off during persistent wash-downs, get trapped inside the bearing track by the seals meant to prevent contamination, and accumulate until the bearing stalls and binds up. This leads to catastrophic system failure, unplanned downtime, skyrocketing costs, and even potential product liability, contamination lawsuits, or product recalls.

Simplicity® plain linear bearings offer a superior solution for wash-down applications, eliminating the risk of catastrophic failure. Chemically inert, corrosion-resistant, and self-lubricating, these bearings lack rolling elements, making them ideal for harsh environments without the need for costly lubrication or risk of contamination. Constant immersion is no issue, as the bearings are crafted from a durable, corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum alloy that withstands high-pressure wash-downs effortlessly. Unlike ball bearings, Simplicity® plain bearings maintain smooth, accurate travel with a proprietary Frelon® Teflon liner that glides reliably under intense spraying. Any particulate build-up along the shaft is harmlessly absorbed by the liner, ensuring consistent, high-performance linear motion for years of maintenance-free operation. For maximum system corrosion resistance, these bearings pair seamlessly with stainless steel or ceramic-coated aluminum shafting.

For FDA-compliant applications, the specialized FrelonW® liner ensures regulatory adherence. In highly caustic chemical environments, the FrelonJ® liner provides enhanced durability and performance. When exposed to a host of various cleaning agents (chemical reaction chart for linear bearings), Simplicity plain linear bearings are engineered to deliver long-lasting, smooth, and quiet linear motion, easily outlasting linear ball-bearings in wash-down applications.