What Is a Radial Ball Bearing?- Hangzhou Huaxing Kechuang Holding Group Co., Ltd.

A radial ball bearing is a precision bearing that can withstand forces that are perpendicular to the shaft, or axial loads, as well as those that are radial, or parallel to it. These radial load bearings are usually made of stainless steel but can also be constructed with other materials, lubricants, and coatings depending on the requirements of specific applications. Quality radial ball bearings are manufactured to industrial standards that indicate their accuracy and efficiency, particularly at high speeds. These quality standards are established by the ABEC scale and ISO 492 or their regional equivalents, and they differ from one manufacturer to the next.

There are many styles of radial ball bearings. Some are single row, while others are double rows. There are internal self-aligning versions and thin-section bearings as well. A wide variety of bearings can be obtained by choosing options within these categories, such as the number of balls, raceway designs and cage types.

The most common type of radial ball bearing is called a single-row radial ball bearing, or a SRBB for short. This type of bearing is a relatively simple design and is able to accommodate moderate to substantial radial loads. The ring of the inner bearing is pressed against the shaft and a set of rolling elements, or balls, are placed in between the rings to create a contact surface that absorbs radial loads. The rolling elements are separated by a metal cage that helps maintain alignment of the bearing and protects the balls from damage.

Some radial ball bearings have raceways that are slotted or relieved to allow more balls to fit into the bearing. This allows the bearing to withstand significant axial loads in either direction, as well as substantial radial loads. The slotted raceways also reduce the strength of the raceway, and they must be properly aligned to prevent the balls from contacting each other.

Another way to get more balls into a radial bearing is to fracture one of the outer or inner ring sections all the way through, then load in the fragments. This is commonly done with a split-ring construction that consists of two rings held together by a pair of steel bands. The fractured segments are then reassembled in proper alignment and loaded with balls.

Lastly, there are bearings that combine the features of single-row angular contact ball bearings. These combine the inner and outer ring parts into back-to-back duplex (DB) or face-to-face duplex (DF) arrangements. These are able to bear axial loads in both directions and radial loads, and they can even withstand a moment load.

Most radial ball bearings are supplied with grease for lubrication. The grease acts to reduce friction between the balls and smooth surfaces of the raceways, keeping them centered as they rotate. It is important to select the right grease for the application, as some are better suited for high-speed operation, while others are designed for low to moderate speed use.