I. Bearing Friction: The Underestimated "Silent Cost" in Industrial Energy Consumption

Global industrial motors consume approximately 45% of the electricity. Among this huge energy consumption, bearing friction is one of the main sources of mechanical losses - bearing friction accounts for up to 20%-40% of the mechanical losses in motors. A motor, a fan, or a pump consumes additional electrical energy every day to overcome the rolling resistance inside the bearings. This is not a one-time consumption but an ongoing energy loss every minute of the equipment's operation.

 

Research data shows that bearing failures can cause a 1.5% reduction in efficiency under full-load conditions and a 4% reduction under light-load conditions. This means that a bearing that is not yet completely failed but has already shown early wear is quietly consuming the energy efficiency of the equipment. Before the bearing completely fails, it may have consumed several times its own value in electricity.

 

In 2025, leading industry players have achieved significant breakthroughs in this field. Schaeffler has launched high-performance C-series deep groove ball bearings, which have a lower overall friction level by 30% compared to the industry average through optimization of the raceway surface parameters and improvement in manufacturing accuracy. At Schaeffler's Bauma 2025 exhibition, application cases of low-friction cylindrical roller bearings and conical roller bearings in the hydraulic system of a 140kW wheel loader demonstrated that the use of X-life quality components and bearings could save up to 9kW of power. If calculated based on a fleet of 1000 loaders, it could reduce 16,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Schaeffler's X-life quality conical roller bearings have a friction torque reduction of up to 75% compared to traditional products. NTN has developed low-friction hub bearings that reduce rotational friction by approximately 66% through the use of newly developed seals, improving the energy efficiency of pure electric vehicles by 0.76% and extending the range by about 2.2 kilometers.

 

Low-friction bearings refer to a class of high-performance bearing products that effectively reduce the friction coefficient and energy loss during operation through structural optimization, material upgrading, and lubrication technology innovation. Compared to traditional bearings, low-friction bearings have significant advantages in terms of starting torque, operating temperature rise, energy consumption level, and service life. In 2025, the global sales revenue of low-friction bearing products reached 6.813 billion yuan, and it is expected to reach 9.66 billion yuan in 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%.

 

II. From "Friction" to "Energy Consumption": An Underestimated Causal Chain

For every one percentage point reduction in the friction torque of bearings, the energy loss of the motor decreases by one percentage point. Low friction means less energy consumption - in the field of new energy vehicles, the electric drive system has extremely high requirements for transmission efficiency and noise control, and low-friction bearings can effectively improve the range and improve NVH performance.

 

Friction generates heat is the most direct manifestation of bearing energy consumption. In mechanical transmission systems, the friction between the rolling elements and the raceway inside the bearings generates heat, which not only consumes energy but also accelerates the oxidation of lubricating grease, causes material thermal expansion, and shortens the bearing lifespan. Low-friction bearings reduce friction heat, achieving energy savings and extending lifespan while reducing temperature rise.

 

In the efficiency optimization of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors, by using low-friction bearings and optimizing preload, system efficiency can be increased by approximately 2%. In the electric drive system of new energy vehicles, reducing bearing friction by 30-50% has become a standard configuration in the industry. Research reviews indicate that implementing energy-saving sealing designs can achieve a significant reduction in friction torque. Schaeffler's low-friction cylindrical roller bearings, through reduced friction in applications such as the internal arrangement of planetary gear bearings, directly affect the required energy consumption, thereby reducing emissions from construction machinery. Take an industrial fan with a rated power of 100kW as an example. It operates for 8,000 hours per year and the electricity cost is 0.6 yuan per kilowatt-hour. The mechanical loss caused by bearing friction accounts for approximately 3% of the motor's input power. Each year, the electricity consumed due to bearing friction is approximately 24,000 kilowatt-hours, which amounts to approximately 14,400 yuan in electricity costs per year. If the bearing friction torque is reduced by 30%, the annual electricity cost can be saved by about 4,320 yuan. For a fan operating for 10 years, the electricity cost alone can be saved by over 40,000 yuan - this does not include the cost reduction from extending the bearing lifespan and the savings from reduced maintenance hours.

 

III. NMT Low Friction Technology System: Systemic Reduction of Resistance from Micro to Macro

The NMT low friction energy-saving bearing technology system covers every aspect from materials to manufacturing.

 

Nanometer-level ultra-finishing and surface smoothness control - The raceways of NMT bearings undergo nanometer-level ultra-finishing, with the surface roughness controlled within 0.01μm. A smoother raceway surface means that the contact resistance between the rolling elements and the raceway is smaller, and the heat generated by friction is lower. Research indicates that surface roughness, precise coatings, and bearing geometric structure have a significant impact on friction torque. In low-friction demand scenarios such as precision grinding machines and high-end household appliances, NMT's ultra-finishing process performs particularly well.

 

Optimizing internal geometry and cage design - NMT optimizes the cage structure through dynamic characteristic simulation to ensure that the rolling elements maintain the best posture during operation, reducing unnecessary sliding friction. NMT introduces micrometer-level fluid dynamic pressure grooves between the cage and the guide surface. When the bearing rotates, these grooves act like miniature pumps, drawing lubricant into the contact interface, converting the sliding friction between the cage and the guide surface into fluid friction, reducing the friction coefficient by one order of magnitude. Combined with NMT's strict selection of rolling element size consistency and precise calculation of lubricant dosage, the bearing can maintain low friction and low noise operation even after restarting at high speed or after being stationary for a long time. In cylindrical roller bearings and conical roller bearings, the sliding contact at the end of the rolling elements is one of the main sources of friction torque. NMT optimizes the contact geometry between the roller end face and the retaining edge, reducing this part of sliding friction to the minimum.

 

Wide temperature range lubrication - NMT bearings are filled with long-lasting low-volatile lubricating grease, maintaining stable viscosity characteristics within the -45°C to 155°C wide temperature range. It does not solidify at low temperatures and does not thin out at high temperatures - whether the equipment is cold-started in the northern winter or continuously operated in the southern summer, the lubricating grease can provide a stable lubricating film, avoiding increased friction due to fluctuating lubrication conditions. By optimizing the lubricant additive formula, the friction torque in rolling contact is further reduced. The maintenance cycle can reach up to 30,000 hours, reducing the additional energy loss caused by lubrication maintenance shutdowns.

 

Special heat stability treatment and long lifespan - NMT uses vacuum degassing high-carbon chromium bearing steel, and after "Ottelab" special heat treatment, the surface hardness reaches HRC62-64, with an anti-wear performance improvement of 40%. The raceway surface is less prone to wear during long-term operation - the less wear, the smaller the change in friction coefficient, and the slower the energy efficiency decline. The fatigue limit is improved by 38% compared to ordinary products, and the rated lifespan is more than twice the industry standard. As proven by Schaeffler's X-life quality bearings, the optimized surface structure, dimensional accuracy, and operational accuracy, as well as material quality, can increase the dynamic load rated value by up to 25%, doubling the service life - NMT also achieves the synergy of low friction and long lifespan through dual optimization of materials and processes.

 

IV. Full-scenario Adaptability of Low Friction Technology

NMT low friction energy-saving bearings are compatible with various general industrial scenarios: Industrial Motors - Among small and medium-sized motors, the NMT low-friction deep groove ball bearings significantly reduce the friction torque through optimized internal geometry and ultra-precision grinding. The SKF AEM silent bearings are specifically designed for motor applications, reducing the friction torque by 25% and extending the service life to over 60,000 hours. The NMT also contributes to achieving higher energy efficiency levels with its low-friction design. When the AEM silent bearings reduce noise by approximately 10 decibels, the low-friction design of NMT simultaneously reduces energy consumption and brings a quieter and smoother operation experience to the equipment.

 

Fans and Pumps - Continuous operation equipment is most sensitive to energy consumption. The low-friction design of NMT bearings offers the most significant energy-saving benefits in scenarios with annual operation of over 8,000 hours. The wide temperature range lubricants ensure efficient operation throughout the year. For the common problem of fluid leakage and contamination causing bearing damage in pumps, NMT has developed a special sealing form, balancing high anti-pollution performance and low sealing friction.

 

Reduction gears and compressors - In heavy-load transmissions, the low-friction design of NMT cylindrical roller bearings reduces energy loss while bearing high radial loads. The optimized roller end face and retaining edge contact geometry minimizes sliding friction. In the hydraulic pump application of construction machinery, using low-friction bearings can significantly reduce equipment energy consumption.

 

New Energy Vehicles - The electric drive system for vehicles has extremely high requirements for transmission efficiency and noise control. Low-friction bearings have become a key component for motor bearings and reducers. NTN's HA-C deep groove ball bearings, through their independently developed special heat treatment technology, achieve a reduction of approximately 15% in outer diameter and over 55% in weight while maintaining higher load-bearing capacity and wear resistance. NMT provides efficient transmission support for the electric drive system of new energy vehicles with the same level of low-friction technology.

 

VII. Customized Services and Market Trends

NMT supports low-friction structure optimization, custom lubrication for wide temperature ranges, and non-standard customization for special sealing solutions. From standard specifications to non-standard customization, from material selection to structural optimization, NMT provides precisely matched products and services for every energy-saving scenario. Standard specifications are always in stock, and installation dimensions follow industry standards, allowing for direct replacement of imported similar products.

 

From a long-term trend perspective, the development of low-friction bearings will focus more on "maximizing system efficiency" and "customization of application scenarios". Future products will not only need to reduce friction at the level of individual bearings but also need to be designed in coordination with motors, transmission systems, and lubrication solutions. With the integration of intelligent manufacturing and condition monitoring technologies, low-friction bearings will gradually possess self-monitoring and life prediction capabilities. Overall, low-friction bearings, as an important basic component for improving equipment efficiency and achieving green manufacturing, have long-term stable market growth potential and high technical barriers.

 

In the context of increasingly strict global carbon reduction policies, end customers are increasingly emphasizing indirect energy savings through the upgrade of key components. Low-friction bearings are evolving from "technical highlights" to "industry standards". Schaeffler's high-performance C series deep groove ball bearings have achieved local production and mass production; SKF's E2 deep groove ball bearings have reduced bearing friction losses by 30-50%; NTN's HA-C series has been officially promoted to the automotive sector. Low-friction is no longer just an "add-on feature", but the basic threshold for industrial transmission in the future.

 

VII. Value Summary

The energy optimization of industrial equipment often begins with the least noticeable components. A reduction of 30% in the friction torque of a single bearing may only result in several thousand yuan of annual electricity cost savings; but for a factory with hundreds of motors, it amounts to tens of thousands of yuan in cost savings and hundreds of tons of carbon emissions reduction. The NMT low-friction energy-saving bearings are supported by technologies such as nano-level ultra-finishing, optimized internal geometry and wide temperature range lubrication. They can reduce the friction torque by more than 30%, helping general equipment such as industrial motors, fans, pumps, and reducers achieve lower energy consumption, higher energy efficiency, and less carbon emissions. Each rotation becomes more energy-efficient, greener, and more sustainable.