• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

  • News
    • Editor’s blog
    • Industry news
    • Motion Casebook
  • Applications
  • Slides + guides
    • Ball + roller guides
    • Track roller (cam + wheel) guides
    • Crossed-roller slides
    • Linear bearings
    • Plastic + composite guides
  • Drives
    • Ball + lead + roller screws
    • Belt + chain drives for linear
    • Rack + pinion sets
  • Actuators
    • Ball + leadscrew driven
    • Belt + chain driven
    • Linear motors
    • Mini + piezo + voice coil
    • Rack + pinion driven
    • Rigid-chain actuators
  • Encoders + sensors (linear) + I/O
  • Stages + gantries
  • Resources
    • Suppliers
    • Video

What makes a linear guide suitable for high temperature use?

★ By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

For most recirculating ball and roller linear guides, the allowable operating temperature range is -10° to 80° C, with some configurations rated up to 100° C for brief periods. But not all applications fall within this temperature range, and each component in the linear bearing assembly (housing, rail, balls, seals, etc.) has a different maximum and minimum operating temperature. But if you choose the right metal components, plastic components, lubrication, and optional accessories, you can configure a recirculating linear guide that can withstand high (or low) temperature applications that fall outside the standard -10° to 80° C range.

Metal components

The metal parts of a recirculating linear guide include the bearing housing, recirculating balls or rollers, guide rail, scraper plates, and various fastening and mounting screws. The makeup of these parts can encompass three or more different types of steel, stainless steel, and — in some cases — aluminum. So it’s important to understand which type of metal each component is made of and what temperature range it can withstand.

In many cases, manufacturers recommend using stainless steels wherever possible when the application falls outside the normal operating temperature range, especially if the temperature is very high (above 150° C) or very low (below 0° C). One of the reasons for this recommendation is the possibility of temperature fluctuations, which can cause condensation and lead to corrosion.

linear guide for high temperature
Linear bearings and guides are made up of a variety of different materials – each with a specific range of acceptable operating temperatures.
Image credit: Hiwin

Plastic components

Plastics parts, such as seals and recirculation components, are often a limiting factor in terms of the temperature suitability of a recirculating linear bearing. However, linear guide manufacturers offer seals made of special materials, such as FPM or FKM (fluorinated rubber, commonly known as Viton, from DuPont), with extended operating temperature ranges.

If the environment doesn’t present liquid or solid contamination, another option is to use a linear guide with only metal seals. And although forgoing seals altogether isn’t recommended for profiled linear guides (because they help to keep lubrication inside the bearing), round shaft linear guides and cam roller slides can be operated without seals, making them another option for applications that don’t call for the load capacity or rigidity of a profiled linear guide. And since these designs don’t require plastic recirculation components, they’re available in all-metal or hi temp metal versions that can withstand temperatures outside the range of most plastics.

linear guide for high temperature
Seals help retain lubrication inside the bearing, but special seal materials may be necessary in extremely high- or low-temperature environments.
Image credit: IKO

Lubrication

Temperature also affects the performance of lubrication in a recirculating linear guide. Specifically, the temperature of a lubricant affects its viscosity (resistance to flow), and grease lubrication that exceeds its rated temperature can separate into its components (base oil, thickener, and additives), reducing its effectiveness.

In general, lubricants with a lower viscosity are recommended for low-temperature applications, while higher viscosity lubricants are best for high-temperature applications. And keep in mind that in addition to the type of lubrication to use, the recommended lubrication interval is also affected by the operating temperature of the bearing.

Optional components and accessories

Temperature limitations also apply to optional components, such as additional seals, external lubrication units, and cover strips or bellows. For example, recirculating linear guides are typically rated for use at temperatures up to 80° C, but external lubrication units often have a maximum temperature rating of 50° to 60° C. Sensitive components such as measuring systems (integrated linear encoders) and parts that are integral to the recirculation system, such as ball chains or ball separators, should also be checked to ensure they can withstand excessively high or low operating temperatures.

lubricated for life
Ball chains (aka ball cages) provide continuous lubrication directly to each ball, but they’re made of plastic and may decrease the allowable operating temperature of the linear bearing.
Image credit: THK

You Might Also Like

Filed Under: Applications, Ball + roller guides, FAQs + basics, Featured, Linear bearings

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“lmt
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
“linear

RSS Motion Control Tips

  • Day 1: New technologies at Automate 2025
  • Festo showing multi-axis positioning systems at Automate
  • Rollon marks 50 years of innovation with global expansion
  • New brushless slotless motor for industrial power tools from Portescap
  • PI releases V-308 stage with 10-nm motion resolution

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Robotic Automation is Indispensable for the Logistics Industry’s Continued Growth and Success
  • Reliable Linear Motion For Packaging Machines
  • Technical Brief – “Understanding the Extensive Benefits of Total Linear Positioning Systems.”

Footer

Linear Motion Tips

Design World Network

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Motion Control Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering
Wire and Cable Tips

Linear Motion Tips

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy