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In vacuum and cleanroom work, the wrong bearing or grease will outgas and contaminate the lot.
SMB Bearings specifies stainless steel for rings, balls and retainers because it outgasses very little. Open or shielded bearings are preferred over nitrile sealed types, which can cause trouble near optics. Viton seals, being a fluorocarbon, also perform well in a vacuum.
PEEK plastic bearings suit low load, semi-precision jobs and usually run dry. Full ceramic silicon nitride bearings can also run without lubricant.
Where grease is needed, low volatility perfluorinated types are used, as in semiconductor manufacturing and deep space kit. For low speeds, dry lubricants such as molybdenum disulphide are an option.
Get in touch on sales@smbbearings.com or +44 (0) 1993 842 555.
For more information on Low Outgassing Bearings for Vacuum Chambers and Cleanrooms talk to SMB Bearings Ltd