Key Takeaways:
Because the shaft never touches the bearing surface, there is no contact wear. Hydrostatic bearings offer theoretically infinite life—limited only by oil quality and system care, not by material fatigue.
Wear Comes From Contact
Rolling and sliding bearings fail because surfaces touch, fatigue, and wear. Service life is finite and degrades accuracy as clearances grow. Hydrostatic bearings remove the root cause: the shaft or table rides on a pressurized oil film and never contacts the bearing surface.

Theoretically Infinite
With no contact, there is no material fatigue and no progressive wear. Hydrostatic support offers theoretically infinite life—its real limits are oil cleanliness (NAS 5+), correct temperature, and routine monitoring, not bearing wear.
Implication for Owners
Accuracy and stiffness stay constant for the machine's working life. Capital invested in a hydrostatic spindle or table is protected against the gradual degradation that forces rolling-bearing machines into retirement.