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Lubrication Protection for Food Processing Applications

Food Processing Equipment Needs High Performance Lubrication

MicroPoly’s solid lubrication solutions for food processing equipment are designed to withstand frequent washdowns, temperature swings, and contamination risks while helping you meet strict hygiene and safety standards. By filling the bearing cavity with a proprietary oil‑impregnated polymer, MicroPoly keeps lubricant where it’s needed, reducing leakage, water washout, and relubrication intervals in conveyors, ovens, mixers, and packaging equipment. This “lubed‑for‑life” approach supports longer component life, cleaner equipment, and more reliable production in demanding food and beverage environments.

Food Processing Lubrication: Case Studies and Results

  • Bearing Type: Dodge SC 2-5/16″ ball bearing pillow block
  • Conditions: Continuous water splash. Speed 80 RPM. Temperature 90-105 degrees F. Bearing life 3 months maximum.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have lasted over 1 year.

  • Bearing Type: 5206 double row ball bearings
  • Conditions: Application is on a V Mag stuffer in an angle gearbox. The speed is 200 RPM. The bearings are contaminated with a caustic meat emulsion and washed down every evening. Normal greased bearings are replaced after 4 months.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have been in for over 1 year.

  • Bearing Type: 1″ housed ball bearing
  • Conditions: Water and wash down chemicals cause premature bearing failure at 6 months. Speed is 100 RPM. Temperature 80 degrees F.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have been in service for 1 year and are still running.

  • Bearing Type: SealMaster ER 205
  • Conditions: Wash down caused corrosion of bearings. Bearing life 4-6 months.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings are lasting 8-12 months.

  • Bearing Type: RAF Fafnir pillow block 1-1/4 shaft
  • Conditions: 100 degree steam lowers viscosity of grease in bearings, causing the grease to leak out of the bearing. Bearing life 3 months.
  • Results: MicroPoly solved the leakage problem. Bearing life extended to 1 year.

  • Bearing Type: Flanged bearing
  • Conditions: Heavy wash down. Bearings were very difficult to replace. Bearing life 3 weeks.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings provided 7 months of life, with a considerable cost savings.

  • Bearing Type: Single row ball bearing
  • Conditions: Flour and dough particles get into the bearings, causing premature bearing failure. Customer used an oil/lube tube to try to lubricate the bearing. Speed 800 RPM. Temperature 100°F.
  • Results: MicroPoly is providing lubrication and at the same time is keeping the flour and dough out of the bearing. Customer has eliminated the lube pipes for the bearing.

  • Bearing Type: Single row ball bearing
  • Conditions: Wash down of the bearings with water and detergents causes premature bearing failure. Bearing life 3-4 weeks
  • Results: Customer discontinued monitoring after 9 weeks; results exceeded expectations. Estimated savings is $170,000.

  • Bearing Type: 6000-2RS stainless steel ball bearing
  • Conditions: Water and beverage syrup run over the bearings. Bearing life 2 months.
  • Results: Food grade MicroPoly was installed in the bearings. Bearing life extended to at least 8 months.

  • Bearing Type: Stainless steel ball bearing, 20 mm bore
  • Conditions: Absolutely no lubrication could be used in valve, and no bacteria contamination permitted. Speed is 35 cycles per minute, 90 degree turn. Temperature 160-180°F. Bearing life 2 weeks.
  • Results: The life of the MicroPoly filled bearing has increased to 8-10 weeks with no bacteria contamination found.

  • Bearing Type: 5202, 7206, 6002, CR101UU, DDFIF814ZZ
  • Conditions: Heavy wash down. Bearings expensive to change out during fishing and canning season and are typically replaced during production.
  • Results: Bearings lasted a full season, saving cost of bearing replacement, labor, and down time.

  • Bearing Type: 5202, 7206, 6002, CR101UU, DDFIF814ZZ
  • Conditions: Heavy wash down. Bearings expensive to change out during fishing and canning season and are typically replaced during production.
  • Results: Bearings lasted a full season, saving cost of bearing replacement, labor, and down time.

  • Bearing Type: Link Belt wash down flanges; various sizes
  • Conditions: Water sprayed into bearings along with dirt and contaminants, as well as tomato acid, resulting in loss of bearings for half the harvest season.
  • Results: Food grade MicroPoly installed and bearings are lasting through the harvest season.

  • Bearing Type: Torrington needle bearing #HJ-202816
  • Conditions: Bearing life 2 weeks. Speed 150 feet per minute. Failure was caused by high heat (up to 200°F) and constant use.
  • Results: Bearing life has been extended to more than 18 months.

  • Bearing Type: ER-32 and ER-28 inserts
  • Conditions: Bearings were failing due to lack of lubrication. The speed is 350 RPM. They would replace the bearings 2-3 times per harvest season.
  • Results: Bearings fitted with MicroPoly are now in their second harvest season.

  • Bearing Type: 1-7/16 flange bearings
  • Conditions: Slow speed, some heat and normal wash down of equipment. Normal life for greased bearings is one year.
  • Results: 16 bearings have been in for over 2 years and were still running.

  • Bearing Type: 1-1/4″ housed ball bearings
  • Conditions: Moisture and wash down solution caused corrosion of bearings and housing. Bearing life varied.
  • Results: Replacing bearings with Linkbelt Klean-Gard bearings filled with MicroPoly has eliminated failures.

  • Bearing Type: Housed ball bearings, 3/4″ to 1-1/4″
  • Conditions: Bearings failed prematurely due to contamination by small cardboard particles. Grease was leaking out of the bearings, causing the manufacturer to scrap some product.
  • Results: 600% bearing life improvement and elimination of scrap caused by grease contamination.

  • Bearing Type: 1″ housed bearings
  • Conditions: During the sizing operation, salt and other seasonings are added. These solid particulates contaminated the bearings, causing bearing failure in 6-8 weeks. Downtime costs customer $25,000 per hour.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have been running for 2 years without any problems. Estimated annual savings is $660,000. MicroPoly is now used on all of the sizing lines and inclines.

  • Bearing Type: Kaydon slim line bearing KD050CPO
  • Conditions: Bearings are subject to a very heavy wash down. Bearing life 1 month.
  • Results: Bearings have continued to run through harvesting and production season. Bearing life has been extended to more than 5 months.

  • Bearing Type: RCTJ 1-1/4″ pillow block, VCFT207 2-bolt flange
  • Conditions: Warm, moist environment.
  • Results: MicroPoly has eliminated the need to grease and therefore has reduced the consumption of grease and its cost.

  • Bearing Type: McGill pillow blocks
  • Conditions: The bearings operate at 50 RPM and 180°F. Bearings had to be greased four times per year.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have been in for over 1-1/2 years, eliminating the cost and labor for greasing the bearings.

  • Bearing Type: Two 2-15/16 SKF pillow block bearings
  • Conditions: Steam, high temperature (300°F), and moisture contamination. Normal greased bearings last six months.
  • Results: Two bearings with High Temperature MicroPoly have been in for 9 months and were still running.

  • Bearing Type: ZA2115
  • Conditions: Dirt contamination and wash down. Had to replace bearings at least twice a season.
  • Results: No replacement during current season. MicroPoly has tripled bearing life.

  • Bearing Type: Rex 5207Z tapered spherical
  • Conditions: Wash down; bearing was mounted on tail pulley of incline receiving line. It was then submerged in dirty water, running 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 120 days. Conveyor speed is 65 fpm with an average weight of 175 lbs. per foot. Bearings were replaced every 90 to 120 days (each harvest season).
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings are in their second season. After inspection it is believed that three seasons will be possible.

  • Bearing Type: B1065-1 needle roller bearing
  • Conditions: Heavy water wash down and citrus juice exposure. Bearing life 2 weeks.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have been in service for more than 6 months.

  • Bearing Type: 608-2RS
  • Conditions: Heavy wash down, water and cleaning chemicals. Continual replacement of various bearings was occurring. The fish oil caused bearing failures.
  • Results: MicroPoly has tripled life of bearings.

  • Bearing Type: Tapered roller bearing, 1″ bore
  • Conditions: Wash down after each shift.
  • Results: Three-fold increase in wheel bearing life with MicroPoly MPF-0696 food grade formula.

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