Ball bearings consist of five main components: an outer ring, an inner ring, cage technology and steel balls.
The outer ring is a race-shaped component with an internal groove and an external cylindrical surface in its shape. The inner race is virtually a mirror of this component with its externalgroove and internal cylindrical surface. The two parts are designed to allow the ball bearings to fit between them. These two component parts are generally fixed using an axial force.
The cage is designed to evenly space out the balls from each other and center them within the races, this component can be master of plastic or metal.
The balls within a ball bearing are used to distribute the forces to the bearing’s internal raceway surfaces. Generally balls can be manufactured of steel, chrome, oil resistant polymers and stainless steel. The balls must be able to move freely between the races.
To enable the inner and outer rings to rotate freely, grease or a specific oil such as a synthetic, is filled within the bearing. This is done to stop corrosion, reduce friction and ensure the bearing’s proper performance as it will be subjected to various pressures and forces.
Ball bearings are available in various materials, sizes and configurations. Considered a rolling-element bearing, these subtypes include radial ball bearings, angular contact thrust ball bearings and others. Manufacturers design the balls to rotate and roll freely between two components, often resulting in longer product life and greater resistance to wear.
One of the advantages of using a ball bearing is the relative low load capacity it has, which enables it to be used in situations where it’s subjected to very high speeds and minimum load capacities. Because of their bent configuration and low load capacity, they are usually used in low and moderate speed applications.
Various types of ball bearings can be combined for specialty applications. The speed capacity, radial load capacity and axial load capacity, along with other conditions are considered when sizing ball bearings and selecting the right type. With the vast array of combinations of bearing components and materials, selecting the right ball bearing for your application can involve many factors. Understanding these factors and selecting the right bearing type can ensure successful bearing operation.
Additionally, the choice of grease used in a ball bearing can alter the performance of the bearing and could cause the ball bearing to fail, so it’s important to use the recommended grease.
All ball bearings, regardless of their type, require maintenance to ensure the performance, longevity and reliability of the bearing. Over time,ball and roller bearings will eventually wear due to friction and dust but can be repaired to restore operating efficiency.
It’s important to understand the specific needs of your application and the properties of the ball bearing so that your bearing functions as expected and lasts a long time. Ball bearings are widely used in a variety of industries and can be customized to meet the exact specifications of almost any environment, making them one of the most versatile and cost-efficient bearing solutions available.
