GRAPHALLOY^®
Bearings for Cold and Cryogenic Applications

Summary

Many industries deal with cold processes, such as food, aerospace, and refineries. The low temperature applications can range from freezing to near absolute zero. Throughout this range, problems occur with lubrication and finding materials that can handle the cold. Grease and other lubricants can solidify in these environments, and plastic bearings can crack or shrink. GRAPHALLOY bearings are able to succeed in these environments with long-lasting, low-maintenance results, due to their unique features.

Why Graphalloy for Cold & Cryogenic Applications

GRAPHALLOY materials, made from graphite-metal alloys, have the following advantages:

• Self-Lubricating: Require no grease or oil, maintenance-free
• Temperature Range: Operate from -450°F to +1000°F (-265°C to +535°C)
• Dimensionally Stable
• Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
• Non-galling
• FDA Acceptable Grades

Cold & Cryogenic Applications for Graphalloy

• Flash Freezing Lines
• Cryogenic Pumps - Liquid Gases
• Frozen Food Conveyors
• Ice/Dry Ice Machines
• Cold Weather Exposed Equipment

Graphalloy Case Histories for Cold & Cryogenic Applications

Seafood Freezer Conveyor

A seafood processing plant in the Southeast was running a conveyor in their freezer area to "flash-freeze" fresh seafood. The environment is a difficult one: it is cold (28°F/-2°C) and wet and the system requires frequent washdown. The conveyor bearings were being replaced every month. The plant maintenance superintendent contacted GRAPHALLOY about the problem.

It was determined that the current bearings could not hold lubrication under these conditions and, as a result, breakdowns were occurring frequently. Graphalloy 4-bolt flange block assemblies were installed and have been running successfully for more than five years.

Frozen Pizza Line

The greased bearings on a frozen pizza line (-35°F) couldn't handle the tough environment, and were failing every 3-4 months. The maintenance team found GRAPHALLOY bearings after typing "Maintenance Free Bearings" into a search engine. They replaced the greased bearings with GRAPHALLOY Food Grade Bearings, available in stainless steel pillow blocks and inserts. They've lasted over a year so far, quadrupling the life of the previous bearings.

Liquid Oxygen Pump

The manufacturer of cryogenic, two-stage pumps, needed a non-galling bearing material that could survive shaft contact, be oxygen compatible, and perform in cryogenic temperatures. They contacted Graphite Metallizing Corporation and a Graphalloy nickel-grade bushing was recommended. Graphalloy materials are non-galling and self-lubricating, which allows for tighter clearances and improved pump efficiency.

After nearly six years, the original production units, as well as several new units, are running smoothly.

Read a case history on Graphalloy bearings in a wastewater application

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