GRAPHALLOY® Solves Bearing Failures in High-Temperature Vermiculite Oven Application
Background
A vermiculite processor eliminated repeated bearing failures in a 450°F+ conveyor oven by upgrading from lubricated roller bearings to GRAPHALLOY® pillow block assemblies.
When a major industrial distributor contacted Graphalloy in September 2025 about a conveyor oven application, the challenge was familiar: high heat was causing conventional lubricated bearings to fail.
The end user processed vermiculite, a mined mineral that expands dramatically when heated. Used in a wide range of industrial, home, and garden applications, vermiculite must be heated in an industrial furnace to achieve its lightweight, expanded form.
In this case, the customer's XLT DS conveyor oven was experiencing ongoing bearing failures that created unnecessary maintenance demands and added cost.
Application Details
- Application: Conveyor oven
- Material Processed: Vermiculite
- Load: 200 lbs.
- Speed: Slow speed
- Temperature: 450°F+
The Problem
The customer had been using roller bearings with an auto-lubrication system. These bearings relied on internal slingers to keep oil from leaking out, but the operating temperature proved too severe for reliable performance.
As a result, the bearings were failing repeatedly, increasing maintenance time and creating avoidable operating expense.
The GRAPHALLOY® Solution
After discussions with Yonkers engineering, the distributor selected GRAPHALLOY Type 845P pillow block assemblies for a trial installation.
Two assemblies were installed in the conveyor oven for evaluation under actual operating conditions.
The Result
After more than two months in service, the customer was impressed with the performance of the GRAPHALLOY assemblies and ordered eight additional pillow block assemblies to complete the conveyor upgrade.
By replacing the failing lubricated bearings with GRAPHALLOY, the customer reduced maintenance demands and improved reliability in a demanding high-temperature environment.
Why GRAPHALLOY®
GRAPHALLOY is ideal for high-temperature applications where lubricated bearings often fail. Its self-lubricating properties help eliminate the need for external lubrication while delivering dependable performance in harsh operating conditions.
Need a bearing solution for a high-temperature conveyor or oven application?
Contact Graphalloy to discuss your operating conditions and application requirements.