Types Of Bearing And Bearing Materials

Different types of bearings 

Bearings are essential components used across almost every industry — from aerospace and automotive to food production, electronics and pharmaceuticals. Each bearing type is designed for a unique purpose, whether it's minimising friction, accommodating misalignment or carrying extreme loads. The right bearing ensures efficiency, durability and safety in your application. Factors like load direction (radial vs. axial), speed, temperature and available space all influence your choice. Below, we’ve provided a clear breakdown of bearing types to help you understand how each functions and where they’re best used.

 

Ball bearing types

Deep groove radial ball bearings:

  • Use: Primarily for radial loads but they can also handle smaller axial loads.
  • Applications: Found in everyday items like electric motors and skateboard wheels.

Angular contact ball bearings:

  • Use: Designed to support both radial loads and heavy axial loads
  • Features: The contact angle allows them to handle higher axial loads compared to deep groove bearings
  • Applications: Commonly used in machinery where precision and high-speed capabilities are essential

Self-aligning ball bearings:

  • Use: Ideal for situations where shaft and housing misalignment might occur
  • Features: The inner ring tilts a few degrees independently of the outer ring, allowing for alignment corrections.
  • Applications: Often used in applications with less precise installation conditions

Double row ball bearings:

  • Use: Provides higher load capacity due to the presence of two rows of balls. Narrower than two single row bearings.
  • Applications: Suitable for applications where space is a constraint but higher load capacity is needed

Double row angular contact ball bearings:

  • Use: Can accept thrust loads in both directions while providing high radial and axial load capacity and increased rigidity.
  • Applications: Frequently used in pumps, machine tool spindles and agricultural machinery.

What are the different types of bearings? High speed, high load, high axial?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each type of bearing is designed to meet specific requirements, whether it's managing different load types or accommodating alignment issues. Understanding these distinctions can help you select the right bearing for your needs.

Before diving into the specifics of bearing materials and their properties, let's explore some other popular bearing types:

 

Roller bearing types

While ball bearings are versatile and widely used, roller bearings are better suited for applications that require handling heavier radial or axial loads. The rolling elements in these bearings are cylindrical, tapered or needle-shaped, providing more surface contact and higher load capacity. These types are commonly found in demanding environments such as heavy machinery, railways, and industrial gearboxes.

 

Cylindrical roller bearings

  • Use: Ideal for heavy radial loads
  • Applications: Commonly found in gearboxes, railway axles, compressors and various types of machinery

Spherical roller bearings:

  • Use: Designed to handle both heavy radial loads and accommodate shaft and housing misalignment
  • Applications: Suitable for applications where some degree of misalignment is expected

Tapered roller bearings:

  • Use: Support both heavy radial and axial loads
  • Applications: Typically used in car and truck wheels

 

Thrust bearing types

Ball thrust bearings:

  • Use: Designed for pure axial loads and cannot handle radial loads
  • Applications: Often used alongside radial ball bearings to manage axial loads

 

Roller thrust bearings:

  • Use: Also designed for pure axial loads but can support larger loads compared to ball thrust bearings
  • Applications: Used in heavy-duty applications requiring significant axial load capacity

 

 

Needle bearing types

Needle roller bearings:

  • Use: A compact version of roller bearings using very thin rollers, ideal for applications with limited space
  • Applications: Commonly used in automotive components, industrial machinery and aerospace applications where space is at a premium

Needle roller thrust bearings:

  • Use: Designed for pure axial loads in confined spaces
  • Applications: Similar to needle roller bearings, these are used in applications where space constraints are critical

 

Different types of bearing materials

After narrowing down your bearing type, the next step is to consider the material. We offer a variety of bearing materials, including ceramic, plastic, chrome steel (SAE 52100) and stainless steel bearings, each suited for different environments and applications. Our extensive knowledge and resources can guide you in selecting the best bearing type for your application.

 

Bearing material guide

To simplify your decision-making process, we have created a comprehensive bearing materials guide that outlines the properties and applications of each material type. Here's a quick rundown:

 

Steel bearings

SAE 52100 Chrome Steel (no prefix)

  • Properties: High hardness, wear resistance
  • Applications: General-purpose bearings, high-load applications

440 Grade Martensitic Stainless Steel (prefix "S")

  • Properties: Corrosion resistance, slightly reduced hardness
  • Applications: Food processing, medical devices and environments with moderate corrosive exposure

AISI 316 Austenitic Stainless Steel (prefix "S316")

  • Properties: Excellent corrosion resistance, non-magnetic
  • Applications: Low load and low speed, marine, chemical and pharmaceutical industries

 

Plastic bearings

Acetal Resin / POM-C (AC)

  • Properties: Low friction, good dimensional stability
  • Applications: Low-load applications, low precision, moisture-resistant environments

PEEK (PK)

  • Properties: Higher strength, chemical resistance, high-temperature performance
  • Applications: Aerospace, automotive and medical industries.

Polyethylene (PE)

  • Properties: High impact resistance, low cost
  • Applications: Light-duty applications, packaging machinery

PTFE (PT)

  • Properties: Excellent chemical resistance, low friction
  • Applications: Chemical processing, food industry

PVDF (PV)

  • Properties: High purity, chemical resistance
  • Applications: Semiconductor, pharmaceutical applications

 

Ceramic bearings

Zirconia / ZrO2 (prefix "CCZR")

  • Properties: High strength, non-magnetic, wear resistance and corrosion resistance
  • Applications: Corrosive, extreme temperature environments

Silicon Nitride / Si3N4 (prefix “CCSI”)

  • Properties: Superior hardness, low density, thermal stability, non-magnetic
  • Applications: Extreme temperatures, vacuum, aerospace

Silicon Carbide / SiC (prefix "CCSC")

  • Properties: Extreme hardness, chemical inertness
  • Applications: High-wear environments, chemical applications, very high temperatures

Hybrid Bearings (prefix “CB” or “SCB”):

  • Properties: Combine metal races with ceramic balls for higher speeds and improved performance
  • Applications: High-performance applications, including automotive and industrial machinery

In addition, we have developed a guide that explains the various bearing applications. Whether you need precision bearings for bicycles or durable bearings for marine, chemical, pharmaceutical or automotive applications, our guide provides detailed information on which bearings to choose and why.

Choosing the right bearing material is as important as selecting the bearing type. The wrong material can lead to premature wear, corrosion or failure — especially in extreme environments. For example, stainless steel may be more cost-effective in food or marine applications, while precision ceramic bearings are vital for very high or low temperature conditions or vacuum and undersea environments. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each material, you can ensure long-term reliability and reduce maintenance costs over time.

 

SMB Bearings relubrication service

We also offer a specialised bearing relubrication service, using our facility to clean and relubricate both our stock bearings and those supplied by customers. We handle stainless steel, chrome steel and hybrid bearings, applying customer-specified lubricants tailored to unique applications.

With over three decades of experience, SMB Bearings’ expert team ensures your bearings receive the optimal lubricant for enhanced performance. If your bearing isn't performing as expected, our team can provide samples with various lubricants and fill levels to determine the best solution.

Our facility operates like a cleanroom, using advanced technology and air filters to eliminate contamination. Specialised ultrasonic cleaning equipment allows us to degrease bearings without removing shields and highly sensitive weighing equipment ensures precise lubrication down to a few milligrams.

We accommodate low, normal, and high grease fills, or specific grease weights, depending on your needs. Unlike large manufacturers, SMB Bearings has no minimum order quantity, catering to both small and large volume requests.

Check out our ball bearing relubrication services page for more details.

With our expertise and resources, you can confidently select the right bearing, material and lubrication to ensure optimal performance and longevity for your application.

If you would like more help, give the SMB Bearings team a call and benefit from our expertise in supplying small and miniature bearings to a range of industries. Call our experts today on +44 (0) 1993 842 555 or e-mail sales@smbbearings.com.

Our determination to remain specialised gives us a high level of product knowledge, providing bearing and lubrication solutions to existing or potential customers, whether individuals or large corporations. We don’t just sell bearings, we help to solve your problems. - Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings.