AMPEP plc, a British subsidiary of the SKF Group, is now introducing a new ceramic-coated self-lubricating plain bearing to the market. By applying a patent-protected ceramic coating to the steel surface of the outside of the inner ring, the lifetime of the plain bearing can be increased by as much as three times.

AMPEP manufactures and markets airframe components for the aerospace industry, and the new technology is of particular interest to applications such as pitch controls for the main rotors in helicopters. For the customer it means that the intervals between services can be greatly extended.
This technology is, however, not only limited to the aerospace industry. It can also benefit rail systems such as high speed and tilting trains where loads and vibrations are similar to those experienced in helicopters. The new technology leads to reduce maintenance costs in many demanding applications.