Bearings in housings is a classic application for retaining compounds. The goal is to eliminate all micro-movement (or fretting corrosion) between the bearing outer race and the housing bore. When bearings spin at high speeds or carry heavy loads, even minimal clearance can lead to wear, heat generation, noise, and ultimately, catastrophic bearing failure and housing damage. A retaining compound converts the close-tolerance slip or light press fit into a solid, unified assembly.
INCURE WeldLock™ 365 Retaining Compound
The application of bearings into housings demands maximum high-load strength to resist spinning and prevent axial movement, especially in high-temperature or high-speed machinery. WeldLock™ 365 provides the highest shear strength and temperature resistance, making it the most robust choice for critical, non-serviceable assemblies that must endure punishing conditions.
| Feature & Benefit | Technical Insight for Bearing Housings | Conversion Value |
| Highest Strength (365) | Cures to an extremely high-strength, rigid thermoset plastic, providing maximum resistance to radial slip and pull-out under heavy loads. | Zero Fretting: Eliminates all micro-movement, stopping wear and maintaining precise bearing fit for life. |
| High Temperature Resistance | Withstands continuous operational temperatures up to 200∘C (392∘F), essential for high-speed bearings that generate significant heat. | End the Heat Threat: Guarantees the joint won’t fail or soften under the hottest operational conditions. |
| Fills Zero Clearance Gaps | Ideal for components assembled with an interference or true close-tolerance slip fit (less than 0.05 mm gap), ensuring 100% surface contact. | Maximizes Contact: Converts a small-gap fit into a monolithic, integrated component. |
| Fast Fixture Speed | Quickly prevents initial movement of the bearing during the assembly process, allowing technicians to proceed sooner. | Faster Assembly: Minimizes wait time before mounting the next component. |
Application Steps: Securing Bearings for Maximum Durability
Preparation (Essential): Thoroughly clean both the bearing outer race and the housing bore. Remove all oil, grease, and residue. Use a degreasing solvent (like acetone or brake cleaner) and wipe until both metal surfaces are perfectly dry. Anaerobic retention requires clean metal.
Application: Apply a continuous, liberal bead of WeldLock™ 365 evenly around the inside circumference of the housing bore. Ensure the compound completely covers the mating surface.
Assembly: Press or slip the bearing into the housing. Ensure the bearing is seated correctly, maintaining the proper depth or shoulder contact. The excess compound will ooze out; wipe this away immediately.
Curing Time (Critical): Allow a minimum of 24 hours for the compound to reach full cure strength before subjecting the assembly to heavy loads, high speeds, or extreme temperatures.
Alternative for Large Gaps: If the housing bore is worn and the clearance gap is larger (up to 0.25 mm), use INCURE WeldLock™ 356 (Metallic Grey). This compound is specifically formulated with fillers to tolerate larger diametrical clearances while still providing high structural integrity.
Stop risking bearing failure and achieve truly permanent, high-precision assembly.