Counterfeit aerospace bearings are a distinct threat to aircraft safety and performance. The SAE G-21 Counterfeit Material Committee recently released a new standard, AS6834: Counterfeit Material; Assuring Acquisition of Authentic and Conforming Bearings.

This new document provides detailed requirements aimed at preventing the acquisition and use of counterfeit bearings and bearing components, including balls, races, lubricant, cages, and seals.

AS6834 builds on the processes stated in existing SAE document AS6174: Counterfeit Materiel; Assuring Acquisition of Authentic and Conforming Materiel, adding bearing commodity-specific requirements that seek to prevent counterfeit bearing acquisition and also mitigate the effects of any counterfeit bearing use.

The SAE G-21 Counterfeit Material Committee focuses on developing standards to prevent, detect, respond to and counteract the threat of counterfeit material in aerospace by highlighting best practices in materials management, supplier management, procurement, inspection, test methods, and response strategies.

If you would like to know more about the goals of the SAE G-21 committee, or you are interested in volunteering your expertise to its work, contact SAE committee manager Rhonda Joseph at: rjoseph@sae.org.