300 Below, Decatur, Ill., has pioneered an ultra-low temperature cryogenic process that the company says increases lifespan for 52100 stainless steel bearing components by an average 415% over current durability and wearability. Cryogenic processing reportedly goes beyond the typical heat treatment to affect molecular integrity throughout the metal component. It permanently rearranges molecular structures to prevent galling and spalling, while ultimately mitigating stress crack propagation.
The cryogenic process for bearings improves wearability and contact fatigue, and reduces failure while limiting the effects of surface wear and scuffing. The company has recently renewed its partnership with Millikin University to research additional maintenance improvements for wind power generation equipment.
Megawatt-class wind turbines subject tribology components such as bearings and gears to increasing demands for renewable electricity generation, creating operation and maintenance costs that are more than double the cost for natural gas-powered generation. Corrosive deterioration is also reduced as a result of the tighter grain structure and precipitation of micro-fine eta carbides following 300 Below’s two-part cryogenic tempering process. High contact stresses from unsteady wind gusts, impact loads, and bearing skidding are significantly mitigated following the changes from cryogenics.
