processing , reducing the risk of leakage , reducing costs associated with relubrication and downtime caused by cleaning or bearing failure . What ’ s more , there are various PSL grades available to suit specific conditions such as extreme temperatures or extreme chemical resistance .
To prevent contamination , NSF International , the primary certification agency for lubricants used in food and beverage plants , classifies lubricants into three categories : H1 , H2 and H3 . The important distinction of food grade lubricants is that their unplanned contact with food and beverage products will not contaminate the item . Lubricants used in food processing machinery must be formulated to be innocuous in taste and odour and should not pose any kind of health risk to consumers should contamination occur .
SAFETY DOESN ’ T NEED TO COMPROMISE MACHINE PERFORMANCE A lubricant provides a thin film between the contact areas in a bearing to reduce friction , dissipate heat and inhibit corrosion on the balls and raceways . This is hardly a new concept , but exciting innovations in food-grade lubricants are helping facilities to enhance their production efficiency and extend their equipment service life , while reducing the risk of lubricant contamination to food and beverage products .
Ball bearings are traditionally lubricated with grease and oils , but this requires maintenance , leading to additional costs . Another potential issue is over-lubrication , which can result in bearing lubrication leaking out and contamination occurring . So , what is the alternative ?
POLYMER SOLID LUBRICATION An alternative option to greases and oils is polymer solid lube ( PSL ), which is gaining traction with food and beverage facility managers . PSL is a microporous polymer structure loaded with oil that fills the free volume in the bearing between the races , rolling elements , and cage . During bearing rotation , the solid polymer releases the appropriate amount of oil to lubricate the rolling elements and raceways .
Solid lubricants tackle various problematic scenarios in food
For example , all-purpose food grade PSL have an operating range from -45 ° C to 93 ° C . In mechanical freezer applications , where low temperature operating conditions are required , PSL is an effective choice to minimise maintenance . In addition , solid lubricants can act as an additional barrier to protect against larger particles entering the bearing , extending bearing service life .
Innovations in food-grade lubricant mean that today ’ s food and beverage plant managers no longer need to walk the line between equipment performance and food safety . Investing in an innovative food-safe lubricant for your equipment is a small price to pay to avoid the potential financial disruption of food product contamination .
For further information about SMB Bearings ’ food grade bearings and lubricants , visit the website . If you would like to find out more about the food-grade relubrication service , contact a specialist at sales @ smbbearings . com .
For further information please visit www . smbbearings . com
Food-grade lubricants are effective under severe food processing operating conditions , such as exposure to highpressure water jets , caustic and acidic chemicals , chlorine-based sanitisers and extreme temperatures . This means that lubricants must be resistant to washout and spray-out if they are to protect machinery from wear , rust and corrosion .
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