Corrosion can be the death knell for motion components, but corrosive conditions are an inherent part of many automated operations. These operations involve moisture, chemicals, and abrasive particles as well as mechanical and electrolytic stresses (beyond our focus here) that can rapidly compromise machine performance and longevity. For this reason, all motion solutions should be designed and specified to avoid corrosion — no matter the specific environment.
Rollon offers several stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant products suitable for such challenging applications.
The effects of corrosion
Corrosion is an irreversible chemical process that degrades materials exposed to water, humidity, or especially acidic or basic substances. In fact, corrosion can compromise the integrity, function, and appearance of motion systems.
Compromised integrity
Corrosion can cause complete failure of an assembly if left unaddressed. Badly corroded components such as bearings, ball screws, and rails can cause structural issues, unexpected failures, machine downtime, and unsafe operating conditions.
Compromised function
Well before catastrophic failure, corrosion can degrade functionality to the point of rendering a motion system inoperable. That’s especially true if corrosion occurs on the moving elements of components that rely on precision surfaces for smooth-running and precise motion that must stay within certain tolerances.
Even in seemingly less challenging applications — as in retail spaces needing motion systems for manually operated displays, for example — the way corrosion roughens surfaces can increase the friction and make them hard and frustrating for workers to operate.
Compromised appearance and perception of quality
Even before component surfaces degrade performance, corrosion can cause cosmetic issues in the form of rust spots, pitting, and hazing. This kind of degraded appearance is unacceptable where motion products are used in displays of retail spaces and furniture elements of luxury settings (as inside yachts and caravans).
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