When you think of bearings, the first material that comes to mind is probably steel.
Steel bearings are a “trusted component for use in many designs” according to Design World.
When steel bearings are used, there are different options for you to consider for the type of steel that would best meet your needs.
TYPE OF STEEL USED IN BEARINGS
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Chrome Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Carbon Alloy Steel
If you need help selecting the type of steel, contact us and one of our bearing experts will help answer your questions.
Just like any product, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with using steel bearings.
ADVANTAGES OF STEEL BEARINGS
Steel ball bearings are:
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Used in many applications
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Made to handle extremely high loads & fast rotations per min (rpm)
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Sometimes the radial load capacity can be up to 30,000 lbs.
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More precise due to the clearance that can be achieved
DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL BEARINGS
The downside to using steel ball bearings is that they:
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Are heavy and noisy
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Lack chemical resistance (depending on the grade of steel)
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Require constant lubrication (high maintenance cost)
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Are susceptible to corrosion in humid or wet environments
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May cause problems in medical applications due to its magnetic properties
PRICES VARY
Because there are so many steel ball bearing manufacturers, prices can vary greatly. All of the options can be overwhelming at times.
What’s the reason you use steel bearings? Did we miss any of the advantages or disadvantages? Share with us in the comments below.