ER Series Blowout Sale Extended!
	Here's your opportunity to save BIG during the month of March on our ER Series overstock! All are Black Oxide finish, Shell Alvania grease and are bulk packaging. All orders must be in full case quantities - call your account manager for availability and special pricing!   PART # QUANTITY ON HAND CARTON QUANTITY ER12 7,000 100 ER14 2,000 64 ER16 4,000 64 ER18 700 48 ER19 5,000 48

RBI Monthly Prize Package Giveaway!
	MARCH 2007 WINNER George Kelsey Kelsey Bearing & Seal Abbotsford WI

A monthly look at recent events in China
Click the title to read the story

China looks to boost property rights
Man stands alone in fight for property rights
Chrysler OK's deal to import cars to the U.S.
Wal-Mart buys 35% stake in China rival

Options that will allow bearings to withstand temperatures in excess of 250° F
by Mike Mortensen - Director of Engineering RBI-USA

For bearing applications experiencing operating temperatures above 250 ° F , some extra cost features may improve bearing performance and life. Some bearing manufacturers offer heat stabilized 52100 steel that has improved dimensional stability at higher temperatures. Another material option for the bearing ring and ball material could be 440C stainless steel, which remains dimensionally stable up to 300° F. The most costly option would make use of ceramic ring and ball materials allow for extremely high operating temperatures that standard bearing steels cannot achieve.

It is advised that nylon cages should not be used for applications that experience operating temperatures above 230° F. A better option would be to use RBI's standard low carbon steel or 302 stainless for the cage material, which can withstand operating temperatures of up to 400° F. Shields are made from steels that are very similar to steels used form cages, thus the shield material is not much of a concern in regards to elevated operating temperatures. On the other hand, seal material choice is critical for elevated operating temperatures. Two options that are available are polyacrylate rubbers and flouroelastomers. Polyacrylate rubber can withstand operational temperatures up to 350° F, while flouroelastomers can withstand operational temperatures up to 400° F.

Aside from the various bearing materials, grease selection is critical for applications that exceed 250° F operating temperatures. Most bearing lubricants degrade when exposed to continuous elevated temperatures, and lose their ability to effectively lubricate the bearing. This may reduce bearing life significantly. This issue can be resolved by choosing fluorinated greases which are designed to withstand exposure to high temperatures.

Technical Article Archive

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Opening Day

April 1st is Opening Day.

After a long, cold winter and a couple of months of Spring Training it is that time-honored opportunity to take one's seat at the ballpark and hear the umpire shout, "Play ball!"

Opening Day is a state of mind as well; it's the start of another season where hope springs eternal and we're ready to buy our World Series tickets in April.

One down - 161 to go. Good luck to your team.

"You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid.
You think something wonderful is going to happen." -- Joe DiMaggio.