In the food and beverage industry, equipment reliability, hygiene, and safety are paramount. Bearing housings, which support and protect bearings in machinery, must withstand frequent washdowns, exposure to aggressive cleaning agents, and strict sanitation requirements. 

Two leading choices for hygienic environments are thermoplastic and stainless-steel bearing housings. Each has its own strengths, and choosing the right one depends on your application, environment, and maintenance strategy. Here’s a breakdown to help you make a well-informed decision.

Food-Grade Thermoplastic Bearing Housings

Thermoplastic housings, typically made from glass fiber-reinforced PBT plastic, are engineered to meet the demanding needs of food and beverage processing. Key benefits include:

• 𓆰 Lightweight Construction: Thermoplastic housings are significantly lighter than their stainless-steel counterparts, making them easier to handle and install.
• 🚿 Washdown & Corrosion Resistance: These housings resist corrosion from water, cleaning chemicals, and food acids, helping maintain hygiene and prolonging service life. 
• ⚡ Electrical & Thermal Insulation: Thermoplastic materials are non-conductive and can withstand high temperatures, adding versatility for specific applications.
• 💰 Cost Effectiveness: Generally, thermoplastic housings offer a lower initial cost, making them attractive for budget-conscious operations or less demanding environments.
• 🧼 Hygienic Design: Many thermoplastic housings feature smooth surfaces, and additive agents can be incorporated into the manufacturing process to impart antimicrobial properties to the thermoplastic, reducing the risk of bacterial buildup and simplifying cleaning.

However, thermoplastic housings will not match stainless steel in terms of mechanical strength and resistance to high-impact or heavy-load conditions. They are best suited for applications where low to moderate loads and frequent cleaning are expected, but extreme mechanical stress is not.

Thermoplastic Bearing Housing Costs 

Food-grade thermoplastic bearing housings typically cost 30–50% less than their stainless-steel counterparts, depending on size, mounting style, and volume ordered. This makes them an attractive option for:

• Dry processing environments
• Low-load or secondary equipment
• Facilities under tight capital budgets

In addition to being more affordable upfront, thermoplastic housings are also lighter, which can reduce installation time and shipping costs.

Thermoplastic Bearing Housing Applications

Consider using thermoplastic bearing housings on the following types of applications:

• Conveyor belts (packaging, sorting): Use thermoplastic housings for light loads, frequent cleaning, and cost-effective operation.
• Secondary packaging machines: Thermoplastic housings are suitable here due to moderate environmental demands and lower risk of mechanical impact.
• Bottling and labeling lines: Thermoplastic housings excel in these applications, particularly with frequent washdowns and minimal mechanical stress.
• Areas near sensitive electronics: Thermoplastic housings are a good choice due to their electrical insulation properties.

Food-Grade Stainless-Steel Bearing Housings

Stainless steel remains the gold standard for bearing housings in the harshest food and beverage environments. Notable advantages include:

• 💪 Superior Strength & Durability: Stainless-steel housings offer exceptional tensile strength and are highly resistant to deformation, cracks, and impact shocks.
• 🚿 Maximum Washdown & 🛡️ Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel withstands aggressive cleaning agents, moisture, and food acids without corroding, even after repeated washdowns.
• ❤️ Long Service Life: These housings are designed for longevity, often lubricated for life with NSF/H1-certified food-grade grease, minimizing maintenance needs.
• 🦺 Compliance & Safety: Stainless-steel housings meet the most stringent hygiene and safety standards, including IP69K certification for protection against high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns.

The primary trade-off is cost—stainless-steel housings are more expensive than those made of thermoplastics. However, their durability and resistance to harsh conditions often justify the investment in critical or high-risk areas.

Stainless-Steel Bearing Housing Costs

Food-grade stainless-steel housings often cost 1.5 to 3 times more than thermoplastics, especially for heavy-duty designs or specialized finishes. However, they’re built for longevity in:

• High-pressure washdown zones
• Corrosive or chemical-laden environments
• High-load, high-impact applications

This durability results in fewer replacements, less downtime, and lower maintenance costs over time. In many cases, the higher initial cost is offset by lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Choosing a lower-cost housing material for the wrong environment can lead to:

• Premature failure due to corrosion or deformation
• More frequent replacements
• Contamination risks (with associated recall costs)

So, while thermoplastics may win on price at checkout, stainless steel often wins over the life of the equipment in harsh environments.

Stainless-Steel Bearing Housing Applications

Consider using stainless-steel bearing housings for the following food and beverage applications:

• Mixers, crushers, primary conveyors: Stainless-steel housings are recommended for high loads, risk of impact, and aggressive cleaning requirements.
• Meat, poultry, dairy processing lines: Stainless-steel housings are ideal for stringent hygiene, high-pressure washdowns, and chemical exposure.
• Direct food contact zones: Use stainless-steel housings for maximum corrosion resistance, hygiene, and durability.
• Ovens, steam tunnels: Stainless-steel housings are preferred in high-temperature environments.

Thermoplastic vs. Stainless Steel: At a Glance

Schaeffler’s Radial Insert Ball Bearings & Housings for Food & Beverage

Schaeffler has set a new benchmark for bearing performance in the food and beverage industry with its INA Radial Insert Ball Bearings (RIBBs) and housings. These solutions are available with both stainless-steel and thermoplastic housings, each engineered to address the sector’s unique challenges.

Why Schaeffler RIBBs Stand Out:

• IP69K Certification: Ensures the highest protection against liquid and solid contaminants, even during high-pressure washdowns—critical for food safety compliance.
• Advanced Sealing System: Features an NSF/H1-certified food-grade grease cartridge seal, delivering superior protection against contaminants and preventing grease leakage.
• Proven Performance: Independent testing shows Schaeffler’s INA bearings outperform leading competitors in running friction (up to 25% lower), grease retention (52% less leakage), and water ingress (up to 40% less).
• Material Versatility: Choose between rugged stainless steel for maximum strength and durability, or lightweight thermoplastic for cost-effective, corrosion-resistant performance.
• Hygienic & Reliable: Both housing types are designed with hygiene in mind, featuring smooth surfaces and materials that resist pitting and bacterial growth.
• Flexible Options: Available in various sizes, mounting styles, and locking mechanisms to fit a wide range of equipment and operational needs.

“Our new portfolio of radial insert ball bearings, equipped with advanced sealing systems and available stainless-steel or thermoplastic housings, enables Schaeffler to offer manufacturers in the food & beverage industry a new level of reliability and protection for their production processes and, by extension, their customers.”
— Agricio Pereira, Schaeffler Americas Product Manager

Schaeffler’s Food-Grade Stainless-Steel Housings:

• Superior tensile strength – especially resistant to deformation and cracks
• Available in metric and inch sizes
• Set screw and concentric locking collar options
• Lubricated for life (food-grade lubricant is NSF, Kosher, and Halal certified)

Schaeffler’s Food-Grade Thermoplastic Housings:

• Made from lightweight, glass fiber-reinforced PBT plastic 
• Resistant to electrical currents & high temperatures
• Available in metric shaft sizes
• Includes protective end cap
• Set screw and eccentric locking collar options

Choosing between thermoplastic and stainless-steel bearing housings in the food and beverage industry depends on specific application requirements, environmental conditions, and budget considerations. 

Schaeffler’s INA Stainless-Steel Radial Insert Ball Bearings and Housings provide industry-leading protection, reliability, and flexibility—making them an outstanding choice for food and beverage manufacturers seeking uncompromised performance and safety. 

Request a quote for Schaeffler’s INA food-grade radial insert ball bearings today!

Shop INA Food-grade Radial Ball Bearings today!

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