Ceramic Ball Bearings

There are just some technological advancements that we just can't live without in today's world. The computer, the telephone, and the automobile are just a few examples. Another one is ceramic ball bearings.

Most people don't realize that many different devices today make use of them. Bearings, of course, are often used whenever there are two or moving parts that must be kept supported, without restricting their movements. In fact, if the device you are using makes use of a wheel in any size or form, chances are it has a ball bearing in its design.

Components Of Ceramic Ball Bearings

All ceramic ball bearings can be classified according to type: the hybrid type, which utilizes a solid ceramic ball but where the 2 rings (an inner and outer ring) are made of steel; the partial type, where the ball and inner ring are both made of ceramic materials, but the outer ring is made of steel; and the full type - where all 3 components are made of ceramics.

Ceramic ball bearings are available in a wide variety of sizes -- from miniature all the way up to very large -- you can get them in both metric and standard (inches) sizes. They can be manufactured to any size needed, just as a full-metal bearing would be.

The Advantages of Using Ceramic Ball Bearings

The reason that many manufacturers are now incorporating ceramic ball bearings in their product designs, is that ceramic ball bearings are lighter and develop less friction than all-steel type ball bearings.

As well, ceramic ball bearings will not micro-weld as steel bearings will (the steel bearings actually weld to the steel it comes in contact with). With ceramic ball bearings friction is greatly reduced, as these ball bearings are actually 'rounder' than the steel kind -- and that means ceramic ball bearings do not develop the high levels of heat associated with steel ball bearings. Because less friction is produced, ceramic ball bearings last longer - and this means fewer expensive bearing replacements. In fact, some sources report anywhere from a 3- to 5-fold increase in the useful lifespan of ceramic ball bearings as compared with the conventional types.

Because of these advantages, any type of application that requires ball bearings to operate at high speeds, high temperatures, or where resistance to corrosion is necessary are ideal applications for ceramic ball bearings.