Surface Treatments that Double the Bearing Life, Solid Oil, and 100% Hygienic Protection – Meet the Stars of the ZEN’s Food-Safe Bearing Line.
In earlier issues, we unveiled ZEN’s breakthrough Food-Safe Bearing Line. Now, it’s time to shine a spotlight on two standout stars: the AISI 420 AC+ bearings, which offer a cutting-edge surface treatment that doubles their lifespan, and the FBS bearings equipped with Solid Oil.
Both products deliver unbeatable, 100% hygienic protection, proving that durability and cleanliness can go hand in hand. Let’s take a closer look!
Quick Recap: Why the FBS Line Stands Out
All products within the new ZEN FBS Line tackle:
+ Corrosion: Offering excellent protection against moisture, cleaning agents, and food acids.
+ Regulatory Compliance: All materials comply with regulatory standards ( FDA, NSF), ensuring the bearings meet hygiene and legal requirements.
+ Hygiene and Cleanability: Non-porous surfaces, smooth finishes, and accessible cavities make the FBS Line easy to clean, minimising risks of bacterial growth, cross-contamination, and non-compliance.
+ Extreme Temperatures: Specially suited for equipment operating in harsh temperature conditions.
The Stars of the Show
STAINLESS STEEL FBS AISI 420 AC+ BEARINGS:
These bearings are enhanced by ZEN’s exclusive surface treatment, offering superior rust protection compared to standard AISI 420 and AISI 440 stainless steels.
They comply with FDA and RoHS standards and last twice as long as standard stainless steel bearings, reducing replacement costs and downtime due to corrosion.
As you can see, after 120 hours of testing, the AISI 420 stainless steel with AC+ treatment remained virtually untouched by corrosion. No rust was found on the inner or outer rings—only minor rust spots appeared in the oil groove.
FBS BEARINGS WITH SOLID OIL:
- What is Solid Oil?
Solid oil is a special lubricant made of a polymer material with millions of micropores that hold the oil by molecular tension.
- How Does it Work?
The oil fills the bearing’s internal space and moves with the retainers and rolling elements. During operation, small amounts of oil are released from the polymer to lubricate surfaces. When the bearing stops, the oil is reabsorbed into the micropores.
Advantages of FBS Bearings with Solid Oil
- Effective Contamination Prevention
+ Fills the internal space, leaving no gaps for bacterial growth.
+ Prevents solid, powdery, or liquid contaminants from entering.
+ Doesn’t leak or drip—even under steam, water, or aggressive cleaning
- Low Maintenance
+ Solid oil bearings can contain up to four times as much oil as grease-lubricated bearings, allowing them to be lubricated for life.
- Superior Low-Temperature Resistance
+ Thanks to the polymer in the lubricant, bearings can resist lower temperatures than those that use standard lubricants.
- Higher Chemical Resistance
+ The solid oil increases the bearings’ chemical inertness, making them more resistant to cleaning agents and harsh sanitisation, ensuring a longer lifespan.
- Minimised Condensation and Corrosion Risk
+ This lubrication system eliminates air gaps that cause condensation, reducing internal rust risk and making these bearings ideal for humid, washdown, or refrigerated environments.
More about the FBS line:
More about the FBS line: → Other Products Available:
+ Stainless steel, ceramic, and hybrid bearings
+ Thermoplastic and stainless steel housings
+ Stainless steel inserts
→ Materials:
+ AISI 304 and 420 stainless steel, AISI 420 AC+ (surface treatment), thermoplastic and ceramic.
→ Seals and Shields:
+ FDA-approved synthetic rubber (NBR) with metal shields.
+ PTFE.
+ AISI 304 Shields.
+ Housings with end caps.
→ Lubrication:
+ Pre-lubricated with Mobilgrease™ FM—FDA-compliant, NSF H1 registered, and certified Kosher/Parve and Halal. Also, solid oil is available for certain references.
Download the brochure and explore the full line or get in touch with them at [email protected]!
If you are looking for bearings that thrive in the food industry’s harsh conditions, the ZEN FBS Line is the answer!
This article is published in Motion+Drives June 2025 issue on page 75-77
