Solid-lubricated ball bearings for use in a vacuum — state-of-the-art

The tribological responses of solid-lubricated ball bearings for vacuum use are described with reference to their friction torque, wear life, performance at high temperatures and high loads, effects of bearing materials other than steel, outgassing, dust generation and cost reduction, based (in part) on the materials offered by Japanese bearing manufacturers. In view of their outgassing and dust-generation characteristics, solid lubricants applied so far are not satisfactory. A new generation of fluorinated-polymer-lubricated bearings provides low contamination properties and can be used in air as well as in vacuum.