Bearing types

Roller and ball bearings are called antifriction bearings and they are most popular nowadays. These two types are produced from various materials and they differ in application loads and speeds.

Key bearings components are outer and inner rings and rolling elements. Lubrication agent plays an important role in bearing durability and performance.

Bearings are used in many industries and are produced according to international manufacturing standards. The biggest bearings manufacturers are Schaeffler Group, which incorporates several brands, and SKF.

Bearings differ in the clearance parameters and sealing materials used in them. In order to choose the correct bearing, one has to specify load capacity, rotational speed, application runout, and lubrication material.

Finding the right bearing model and supplier is not an easy task and on many occasions it is better to address expert distributors working with multiple brands, which guarantees they would know how interchangeable the products are, which brand is better for a particular set of requirements in price/quality ratio. Professional bearings distributors also have a large stock of parts and can provide good prices because of large operating volumes.

Nowadays, bearings are divided into three general types:

1. Plain bearings
2. Ball bearings
3. Roller bearings

You probably hear about ball and roller bearings more often but plain sleeve bearings were invented first. Sleeve bearings are produced from various materials: alloys, bronze, nylons, ceramic, and more.

Ball and roller bearings include inner and outer rings and a rolling element - therefore, they are called antifriction bearings as the roller element minimizes friction. These types generally vary in application: roller bearings serve for higher loads and ball bearings serve for higher speeds.

Rolling elements in antifriction bearings are divided by cages, or separators. The cages are made from various materials: strip steel, phenolic, bronze, plastic, nylon, and other.

Lubrication is highly important for antifriction bearings and helps them withstand radial and axial loads. Insufficient lubrication is a most frequent cause for failing bearings. Oil and grease are the most wide-spread lubrication agents.

Roller bearings are also divided into various types: cylindrical rollers, spherical rollers and tapered rollers. They differ in design to support various types of load. For instance, cylindrical rollers only support radial loads, while spherical roller bearings cover axial and radial loads as well.

Different companies manufacture bearings and bearing quality and durability differ from brand to brand. Purchasing bearings from qualified and authorized distributors assures lasting results and desired performance level - Pacific International Bearings, or PIBsales, is such a distribution company. The biggest variety of bearings is produced by the Schaeffler Group. It includes brands INA, FAG, and Barden and they offer the absolute majority of available types and sizes. Other prominent manufacturers’ brands are Timken, NHBB, SKF, NMB, RBC, and Kaydon Bearing.

All brands of bearing manufacturers employ international manufacturing standards. Some of American standards are listed below:

• ABEC - Annular Bearing Engineering Committee
• ABMA - Annular Bearing Manufacturers Association
• AFBMA - Antifriction Bearing Manufacturers Association
• ANSI - American National Standards Institute
• RBEC - Rolling Bearing Engineering Committee

Bearings from different manufacturers are typically interchangeable because they follow the same manufacturing standards - however, due to internal design differences, different brands may be unfit as replacements. Consult with professional distributors of various brands - like PIBsales.com - so you find the right bearing model.

If you ever wondered what C3 bearing means, it is a bearing with specific type of clearance. There is no advantageous factor to using these bearings and they actually do not mean improved bearing quality or product durability. Bearing clearance is based on the radial bearing size and the ball size, allowing for internal play. C3 is not standard, or normal. The ideal for any bearing specification is to receive zero running clearance, and this is achievable with a C3 bearing or a normal one. So the option is determined by the exact case’s requirements.

In products like ‘6005 zz’, ‘ZZ’ designates the particular shield type and these are most commonly used bearing enclosures. They are used in mediums with no or little contamination and these bearings come up to speed very quickly. Medical and office automation equipment are good examples of their application but there are many other applications too.

Now you can tell the difference between the 608RS and 608ZZ bearings where the ZZ bearing guarantees low starting torque and the RS (or you may also find 2RS) bearing has a seal with rubber rim, which also affects the running torque.

Bearings are used in a multitude of industries - there are automotive bearings, medical and dental bearings, robotics and automation bearing, you name it. Contacting a specialized bearings distributor - like PIBsales.com - guarantees that your necessities will be covered with expert knowledge and professional support.

Choosing the right bearing requires a few steps:

1. Determine bearing load & required load capacity

Ball bearings are best suited for small and medium size loads. Roller bearings are used for high loads.

2. Determine application rotational speed

Ball bearings are typically for high speed applications, and roller bearings - for low speeds.

3. Find runout for your application.

Ball bearings are the optimal choice if only small deviations are allowed.

4. Find the right lubrication.

Typically, grease will not provide the required lubrication level for high speed applications. Oil will be a better option.

Specialized bearings distribution companies will assist you with the selection process as well as delivery methods. Get in touch with your local expert distributors.