Material (rolling bearing)

Various materials are used in rolling bearings, which are selected depending on the application requirements. Here are some of the most common materials used in rolling bearings:

3. Steel: Steel is one of the most commonly used materials for rolling bearings. Ball bearings and roller bearings are often made of high-quality steel, which has high strength, hardness and wear resistance. Different types of steel are selected depending on the specific requirements of the application, such as carbon steel, alloy steel or stainless steel. The most common bearing steel is 100Cr6, in the food sector 1.4125 - AISI440 or 1.4034 - AISI420. There are many ways to protect 100Cr6 against corrosion, e.g. with a Corrotect coating.
4. Ceramics: Ceramic materials such as silicon nitride (Si3N4) or zirconium oxide (ZrO2) are used for rolling bearings to achieve improved performance characteristics. Ceramic rolling elements are lighter and harder than steel rolling elements and offer better corrosion resistance and temperature resistance. They are often used in high-performance applications such as high-speed and high-temperature applications.
5. Polymer materials: Plastics or polymer materials are used for special applications in rolling bearings, especially when corrosion resistance, freedom from lubricants or low friction are required. Polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are some of the commonly used polymer materials in rolling bearings.

Selecting the right material for rolling bearings depends on various factors, including operating conditions such as load, speed, temperature and environment. A carefully selected material can significantly improve bearing performance, life and reliability.

As a rule, cages are made of plastic, e.g. polyamide. However, there are also steel and brass cages.

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