INA FAG has introduced a range of coatings to protect bearings from corrosion, wear, friction and slippage, and electrical conduction. The coatings are applied to the surfaces of rolling bearing components without forming a material bond (for example, by diffusion) between the coating and base material. In many cases it is sufficient to coat only part of the bearing or one of the partners in rolling contact. INA FAG can advise customers when a coating may be appropriate and what type should be used in particular applications.These include zinc iron coatings for rolling mill applications, zinc nickel for bearings used in automotive engineering and zinc phosphate for applications exposed to seawater. A chemical nickel coating is also available to protect bearing housings and is suitable for applications within the food industry.Coatings that protect bearings against wear, friction and slippage include a black oxidising coating, thin dense chromium coatings (TDC) and a copper coating for emergency lubricant on bearing cages. Silver coatings are used for the same purpose on aerospace bearings and titanium nitride offers the user wear protection in jet engine bearings.The company also offers electrically insulating aluminium oxide coatings in two different thicknesses: 'thick' to cope with moist environments, and 'thin' offering a low resistance to current passage.