Finding the right bearing for industrial applications is vital to ensuring high-level production, low-level downtime, secure maintenance programs and a long-factory life.
After all, almost every moving part in a machine, be it a car or the factory floor, needs to have fitted roller bearings and ball bearings in order to reduce friction, smoothen the motion, reduce costs with automation and better the longevity of the moving parts as a whole.
Being the selected bearing supplier in India, Jayachandra Bearings has everything you need to know about finding the right bearing components and materials to fit your machine and needs.
With the industrial revolution bringing the steel bearing onto the scene, there have since been considerable developments with various materials.
Typically, steel is used as the main roller bearing and ball bearing material for both the rolling component and the rings. However, some industrial instances call for other qualities such as greater resistance to corrosion, porosity, cost savings, seizure resistance, lightweight materials and high durability.
1. Carbon Steel Bearings
Also called ‘commercial grade’, carbon steel is not stainless steel, instead features a carbon element of up to 2.1% in weight. The higher the carbon content, the stronger the bearing. With this, however, it becomes less ductile, has a lower melting point and can’t operate large loads or high speeds.
The benefits to using carbon steel bearings include being the cheapest bearing material for use as well as its hardness.
This type of bearing made with carbon is commonly seen in rolling draws, locks, bikes, roller skates and shopping carts.
2. Chrome Steel Bearings
Another type of steel bearings is the chrome steel bearing and it is one of the most prominent types of bearing components and materials due to the a ordable costs, high hardness level and quieter operating volume. Despite what the name might suggest, a chrome steel bearing has a low chromium level within the steel compound.
With this, the benefits of using a chrome steel bearing ends with the high-hardness, high-load capacity, low decibel, a ordable cost and wide accessibility. However, it requires maintenance of lubrication and is not resistant to corrosion or chemicals.
As one of the most commonly sourced bearing, it has a wide range of industry applications. For example, vibrating motor systems, food processing machines and linear motion components.
3. Stainless Steel Bearings
The final steel material used to create industry-suitable bearings is stainless steel. The composition has a lower percentage of carbon than carbon steel bearings and a higher chromium quantity than chrome steel bearings.
A stainless steel bearing is highly e effective, precise, strong, durable, resistant to corrosion, chemical resistant, softer and temperature flexible than most other bearing types. The only negative aspects would be the heavier composition, need for lubrication and higher costs.
With this, the stainless steel bearing can be used in a range of industrial applications including those that are temperature sensitive. Examples include food processing, manufacturing, metal plating, instrumentation, high humidity and highly chemical areas.
4. Ceramic Bearings
Ceramic bearings are manufactured to produce a highly non-corrosive and durable bearing with two rings of ceramic and a fluorine resin retainer. This material is chosen over stainless steel and its variances, due to the non-magnetic requirements of the machinery.
With this, the benefits of using a ceramic ball bearing include it being high in hardness, anti-corrosive, durable, lightweight, high-temperature resistant, low in density and low in maintenance due to not requiring lubrication.
The industry applications for a ceramic ball bearing are often within aircrafts, in the dental profession and in food processing machines.
Polymer Plastic Bearings
There are also many non-metallic materials used to manufacture ball and roller bearings due to lightweight qualities among others. Plastics and polymers used throughout the bearing industry include:
- Nylon
- Silicone Nitrate
- Phenolic
- Teflon (PTFE)
- Nitrile Rubber
With their porous material, polymer plastic bearings often have high temperature ranges and naturally low-friction properties meaning no lubrication is needed. Other benefits to using polymer plastic bearings include the resistance to corrosion, chemicals and rust as well as a lightweight body with high strength used for a range of industry machines.
The polymer plastic bearing is often used within electrical switch gears, water turbines, ship propeller shafts, household appliances, filming gear, instruments, textiles, factory floor applications and more.
6. Hybrid Bearings
Lastly, hybrid bearings are manufactured with best practice in mind. Using high radial and axial strength of steel for the rings and bearing grade silicone nitrate to manufacture the rolling elements, it provides electrical insulation.
With this, hybrid bearing types feature the benefits of high wear resistance, varied industry application scenarios, higher speed capabilities than most and non-conductive components for temperature rises or RCF.
High-level research and science machines such as cryogenic chambers, aerospace engineering and medical equipment make use of the hybrid bearing components and materials.
Choosing the Right Bearing Material for Your Equipment
As the one of the leading bearing suppliers in India, our team of experienced engineers are here to assist you with recommendations for the best type of bearings used on your equipment or your specific applications. To find out more about exactly which of the bearing materials are best for your machinery, get in touch with us