High Corrosion Resistance
Stainless Steel Bearings
Daily cleaning and chemical washdown procedures in food and beverage plants can rapidly corrode standard bearings, leading to frequent failures and high maintenance costs. To address this, NSK developed the ES1 series—high-performance bearings manufactured with nitrogen-infused alloy steel. This unique material composition significantly outperforms conventional stainless steel (AISI 440C) in both corrosion resistance and fatigue life. Whether your facility faces constant water exposure or aggressive chemical sanitisation, the ES1 series is designed to deliver optimal machine efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Corsair Sarl is a leading supplier of NSK high-performance stainless bearings, offering expert technical support and prompt Swiss delivery from our extensive stock.
Stainless Steel Bearings
Daily cleaning and chemical washdown procedures in food and beverage plants can rapidly corrode standard bearings, leading to frequent failures and high maintenance costs. To address this, NSK developed the ES1 series—high-performance bearings manufactured with nitrogen-infused alloy steel. This unique material composition significantly outperforms conventional stainless steel (AISI 440C) in both corrosion resistance and fatigue life. Whether your facility faces constant water exposure or aggressive chemical sanitisation, the ES1 series is designed to deliver optimal machine efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Corsair Sarl is a leading supplier of NSK high-performance stainless bearings, offering expert technical support and prompt Swiss delivery from our extensive stock.
Stainless Steel Bearings
Daily cleaning and chemical washdown procedures in food and beverage plants can rapidly corrode standard bearings, leading to frequent failures and high maintenance costs. To address this, NSK developed the ES1 series—high-performance bearings manufactured with nitrogen-infused alloy steel. This unique material composition significantly outperforms conventional stainless steel (AISI 440C) in both corrosion resistance and fatigue life. Whether your facility faces constant water exposure or aggressive chemical sanitisation, the ES1 series is designed to deliver optimal machine efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Corsair Sarl is a leading supplier of NSK high-performance stainless bearings, offering expert technical support and prompt Swiss delivery from our extensive stock.
Contents
Applications and use
NSK ES1 stainless steel bearings are engineered for environments where standard and conventional stainless bearings fail prematurely.
Food Processing Machinery
Used in raw material handling, cutting, mixing, and moulding equipment
Beverage Processing Lines
Ideal for filling, sealing, and inspection stations
Packaging and Inspection
Reliable performance in material handling and automated packaging lines
Environmental Conditions
Chemical Washdown: Resists aggressive cleaning agents.
Water Exposure: High resistance to rust in wet or humid areas.
Contamination: Protection against organic debris and debris ingress.
Product Downloads
Detailed technical catalogues are available for download below.
Key specifications are also summarised on this page.
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Technical Superiority: ES1 vs Conventional Steel
NSK’s ES1 steel provides a critical advantage in acidic and saline environments.
Hardness
ES1 maintains high hardness levels required for load-bearing performance while enhancing chemical stability.
Corrosion Resistance
In immersion tests using Sodium Chloride, ES1 showed no corrosion after 8 hours at room temperature, while conventional AISI 440C and 13CR steels showed poor to fair results.
Acid Resistance
* Sulfuric Acid (5-N): ES1 shows approximately 1/4 of the weight reduction (corrosion loss) compared to AISI 440C.
Hydrochloric Acid (5-N): ES1 significantly outperforms 13CR and 440C in weight loss tests over 20 hours.
Standards, Naming, and Suffixes
How to identify your stainless bearing
- Dimensional Series: Usually starts with 6 (e.g., 60, 62, 63, 68, 69).
- Bore Diameter: Indicated by digits (e.g., ’05’ = 25 mm).
- Material Suffix: ES1 (Nitrogen-infused rings).
- Seal Suffix: DDU (Durable nitrile rubber contact seals).
- Lubrication Suffix: -H-20 (Molded-Oil option for solid lubrication).
Suffix Meanings
Materials and Sealing Options
Rings
Nitrogen-infused alloy steel (ES1) for maximum resistance to pitting and stress corrosion.
Balls
Standard stainless steel or optional Silicon Nitride (SN) ceramic balls for hybrid applications.
Cages
Choice of Polyamide resin (T1X) or corrugated stainless steel cages.
Closures
Available in open, shielded (ZZ), and contact seal (DDU) types to suit specific contamination risks.
Grease
Options include standard food-grade grease or Molded-Oil solid lubricant for washdown protection.
How to request a quote quickly
For a prompt B2B quote, please provide:
- Bearing reference (e.g., 6205 ES1 T1X DDU).
- Quantity.
- Chemical exposure (types of acids or salts used in cleaning).
- Temperature range of the application.
- Delivery location and required date.
Call for availability and a quote
- Phone: +41 32 737 70 60
- Email: sales@corsairsarl.com
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Technical Specifications
Content coming soon
Good practice and maintenance
Lubricant Choice
For maximum protection in washdown areas, combine ES1 bearings with NSK Molded-Oil (-H-20) to prevent lubricant washout.
Seal Integrity
Regularly inspect DDU seals for wear to ensure no cleaning chemicals bypass the closures.
Storage
Keep bearings in their original, moisture-proof packaging until immediately before installation.
Mounting
Use appropriate stainless steel shafts and housings to prevent galvanic corrosion between the bearing and its seat.
FAQ
What makes ES1 better than standard 440C stainless steel?
ES1 uses nitrogen-infused steel, which provides significantly better resistance to pitting and acid corrosion while maintaining the high hardness required for a long fatigue life.
Are ES1 bearings food-safe?
Yes, when combined with NSF-certified food-grade grease or Molded-Oil, they are ideal for use in food and beverage production areas.
Can I get ES1 bearings with ceramic balls?
Yes, the technical documentation supports the use of Silicon Nitride (SN) balls as a hybrid option.
What is the bore size range for this series?
ES1 bearings are documented in sizes ranging from 6 mm up to 75 mm bore diameter, depending on the dimensional series (e.g., 60, 62, 68).
How do they perform in salt water?
In 8-hour sodium chloride immersion tests, ES1 showed zero corrosion, making them excellent for saline processing environments.
Call for availability and a quote
Phone
+41 32 737 70 60
Email
sales@corsairsarl.com
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Large stock list
Expert technical assistance
Prompt Swiss delivery