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SKF Unveils ARCTIC15 Steel for Next-Gen Aeroengine Bearings
Articles- Nov 29,25
SKF has launched ARCTIC15, a high-temperature, corrosion-tolerant steel enabling next-generation, fuel-efficient aeroengine bearing designs
SKF continues to re-imagine intelligent and clean rotation with the development of an innovative temperature-resistant, corrosion-tolerant steel for aeroengine bearings called ARCTIC15.
With the aerospace industry striving to reach net zero emissions by 2050, next generation jet engine designs are evolving toward ground-breaking architectures which require rolling bearings capable of higher power density and speeds beyond the current design rules. SKF’s customers are designing new engines that aim to cut fuel use by 20 to 25 per cent, which also reduces emissions. To support these new designs, SKFs new steel will enable bearing solutions that can support the development of new architectures of engines for aviation.
“As aviation moves toward designing engines that aim to cut fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent, reducing emissions significantly, SKF is innovating to match that ambition. Our new steel alloy ARCTIC15 is engineered as a breakthrough material to allow for smaller, more compact bearing solutions that handle higher loads, unlocking new engine architectures and driving efficiency across the entire lifecycle, with repairability as a key driver. This novel steel enables faster development cycles and supports industry sustainability goals for the future,” said Gregory A Zimmerman, Director of Aerospace Business Unit at SKF.
For such performance increase, the first step is made by replacing steel rolling elements with ceramic rolling elements. The second step comes by pairing ceramic rolling elements with an advanced aeroengine bearing steel with higher load and temperature capacity than existing steels. These distinctive properties open the door to new engine architectures with enhanced efficiency.
“With cross-functional collaboration and sustainability-driven programs aligned with global megatrends and industry needs, we are actively driving the climate transition. As both a supplier and customer, we transform deep insights into smart, practical solutions that reduce friction, cut emissions, and extend equipment life—helping industries move toward more sustainable operations,” said Hans Landin, President, Specialized Industrial Solutions.
The new patented steel technology will be commercially available and shared by SKF at the Patent Bay. A new platform open to companies that aim to accelerate technologies with the potential to advance sustainability, by making selected patents freely available to others.
The following sparked the development of ARCTIC15:
- SKFs Aerospace team has been developing and successfully testing an innovative case-carburized stainless-steel for aero-engine bearings for nearly a decade, ever since SKF’s customers began designing next-generation engines focused on reducing fuel consumption — driven by the EU-funded Clean Sky initiative, HEAVEN (Clean Aviation)
- Extensive material and tribological testing, ranging from elemental analysis to full-scale trials, has validated the performance capabilities of the developed bearing material technologies.
SKF Aerospace factories have manufactured demonstrator and full-scale bearing prototypes combining this advanced steel with ceramic balls, validating their endurance and resistance to severe operating conditions — including scenarios where oil supply is discontinued.
An actual ground test demonstration will be performed early 2026 as part of the Technology Readiness Levels process with one of the industry's leading aeroengine original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
Since 1907, SKF has been making some of the world’s most innovative bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring solutions, and services to reduce friction. SKF is active in around 130 countries, operates via 17,000 distributor locations and reported SEK 98,722 million in sales in 2024 with 38,743 employees.
SKF
ARCTIC15
aeroengine bearings
aviation sustainability
ceramic bearings
aerospace materials
fuel efficiency
bearing steel
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