NSK has introduced a new series of spherical roller bearings (SRBs) for wind turbine main shafts, combining three core technologies to reduce wear and improve load capacity. The bearings integrate NSK’s Super-TF material, a high-hardness diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, and a newly designed extra-capacity ECA cage.
Super-TF material enhances surface strength by uniformly distributing fine carbides across the inner and outer rings, offering increased resistance to raceway wear. The DLC coating, applied to the rollers, improves surface durability and minimises wear at the roller-raceway interface. The new ECA cage removes the need for a guide ring, making room for larger and more rollers, which increases load capacity and improves wear performance.
According to NSK, the combination of these technologies has reduced raceway wear to less than one-tenth of that found in standard bearings. Initially developed in 2024 for wind turbine operators in North America, NSK has now expanded global production of these bearings. Future developments will link these SRBs with NSK’s condition monitoring systems to support maintenance and operational reliability.
