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
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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