Angular contact ball bearings are used in many different industries

Angular contact ball bearings are used in many different industries. They are particularly useful for gearboxes, pumps, and clutches. As they carry loads in an axial direction, they are more resistant to radial forces than deep groove ball bearings. These types of bearings are available in single-row or double-row designs. Both are available in a variety of lubrication options and coatings.

Compared to deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings have a higher number of balls, greater axial load capacity, and improved performance at high speeds. Angular contact bearings are usually designed to be mounted on a rigid or elastic spacer. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including face-to-face, back-to-back, and tandem.

The most common mounting method for angular contact ball bearings is back-to-back. This arrangement allows for heavy axial loads and large momentary loads. However, it may not be able to handle radial loads. Face-to-face and tandem mounts are more suitable for radial loads. Alternatively, angular ball bearings can also be mounted in a triplex or quadruplex configuration. Depending on the application, angular contact bearings can be adapted to support a variety of axial loads, including combined axial and radial loads.

An angular contact ball bearing has a larger number of balls and an offset inner and outer ring. The outer ring has a partial shoulder that prevents separation between the balls. In addition, the inner ring has a grooved path. This helps to distribute lubricant and reduce noise. Aside from the outer and inner rings, a cage is included to help keep the balls stacked evenly. Usually, the cage is made of phenolic resin or fine mesh cotton webbing.

Generally, angular contact bearings are available in a variety of ABEC ratings. Generally, the higher the ABEC rating, the tighter the tolerances. ABEC also identifies the type of accuracy range the bearing can be expected to provide. Typically, ABEC classes the accuracy range in metric units. For example, ABEC C means the bearing is classed as a precision bearing with a maximum accuracy of 1". ABEC E indicates the bearing is a precision bearing with a maximum accuracy between 2 and 5%.

Angular contact ball bearings are commonly used in tandem, matched pairs, and sets. There are also single and double row designs, with either a split or non-separable design. Although a single row angular contact bearing is a more economic choice, there are some advantages to using a pair of bearings.

Because of their smaller cross section and asymmetrical shape, angular contact ball bearings are ideal for thin-section applications. Thin-section bearings are typically designed for use with lead screw and ball screw applications. Additionally, angular contact ball bearings are available with Super Finished Raceways, which can improve lubricant distribution.

Angular contact ball bearings come in a variety of different designs and can be molded, cast, or machined to fit specific applications. Some manufacturers, such as SKF, have even produced molded cages for angular contact bearings.