What type of ball materials used in Ball Bearings

 

What materials are used to make ball bearing balls?

The material for rolling bearing ball bearing balls varies widely and is always primarily oriented on the ring materials. This ensures that the interplay of the cage, inner ring, and outer ring in the system is harmonized. This is especially important when the application involves heating or cooling the bearings. It is important that the ball bearing running properties are always good. The most common ball materials are listed below with relation to the ring material.

Balls for metal ball bearings

Roller bearing steel 1.3505/100Cr6

For these ball bearings, hardened steel balls are often used. The most often used material is chrome steel with about 1% carbon and 1.5% chrome. The properties of steel balls of martensitic chrome steel make them especially well-suited to ball bearings production since they make stable components that are resistant and convincingly durable in continuous operation. Balls made of roller bearing steel are robust and durable. Sensitivity to corrosion tends to below, so that cylindrical rollers and needle rollers are made of this material. But lubrication is indispensable.

Balls for plastic ball bearings

Stainless steel 1.4401 and 14401 (SS316L)

For ball bearings made of plastic, unhardened stainless balls are usually used. They are corrosion-resistant and are also resistant to saltwater and alkalis. Hardened balls are not necessary to use in plastic ball bearings. The maximum permissible load is usually limited by the plastics rings material. Stainless steel balls are not as pricey as glass balls.


Ball bearings balls made of stainless steel for xiros® polymer ball bearings

Soda-lime glass

Glass balls are used when the plastic ball bearings are required to use in the applications with high chemical involvement. Soda-lime material used in ball bearing balls are applicable for bottles, drinking glasses and flat glass. It has certain level of chemical resistant which suitable for ball bearings that are usually exposed to brief chemical stress but not to great thermal stress. Lemon glass was name for its light green colour of the glass. 

Borosilicate glass

This glass ball is more expensive than soda-lime glass. However, it is more resistant to chemical than soda-lime glass, thus it is suitable for applications involving strong acids.

Benefits at a glance:

  •       Highly resistance to heat and temperature changes
  •        Mechanical Stability
  •     Low coefficient of linear expansion
It is clear and transparent.

Balls for Ceramic ball bearings:

Aluminium oxide Al2O3

Ceramic balls made of aluminium oxide, also known as oxide ceramics, has a structure of polycrystalline. The properties of the lightweight balls are corrosion-free, abrasion and heat resistant regardless of the influences such as water, salt solutions and some acids. However, it is necessary to avoid contact with hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, warm sulphuric acid, and strong alkaline solutions. They are also self-lubricating and electrically insulating. Balls made of Al2O3 aluminium oxide are white to ivory-coloured and are manufactured according to ASTM F 2094 Class II/III

 

Silicon nitride Si3N4

Ball made of the silicon nitride ceramic material is lightweight but has properties of great toughness and outstanding resistance to corrosion. Only certain acids and base solutions cause corrosion. The material also has an insulating effect. It is also self-lubricating and highly resistant to sudden changes of temperature. The only drawback is, they are more expensive than aluminium oxide balls. Balls made of Si3N4 are a black mother-of-pearl colour.

Learn more about plastics ball bearings

www.igus-asean.com/xiros-applications

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