Ball Thrust Bearings - How Do I Choose The Right One For My Application?
Ball thrust bearings, sometimes referred to as a flat-race thrust bearings, are composed of ball bearings supported in a retainer ring and are held between two thrust washers. Thrust bearings allow smooth rotation under high thrust loads at low and medium speeds. Whether the rolling element is a ball, needle or a roller, they are designed for pure thrust loads, and can handle little or no radial load. Complete thrust bearing assemblies usually include two thrust washers and a ball retainer and typically come in standard and metric sizes, with custom sizes available.
Depending on the conditions in which you will use your thrust bearing, there are some considerations in choosing it's construction materials and determining which one is right for you.
First, let's consider the retainer. The ball retainer can also be made of different materials, such as nylon or metal. A nylon retainer offers several advantages over a metal one. Injection molded and heat stabilized, nylon retainers are lightweight and provide a natural lubricity eliminating the need for constant lubrication. Nylon retainers are corrosion resistant, provide quieter operation and have a long service life. Another important advantage is that nylon retainers are less expensive and make a great economical choice.
Second, let's look at the ball and thrust washer components. These remaining components should be chosen to match the application and environment in which they will operate. Typical material choices include stainless steel or hardened carbon steel. Stainless steel works well in environments where moisture, corrosives may be present. They are widely used for food and beverage processing machinery, medical devices and a wide range of applications where moisture may be present. A carbon steel thrust bearing with hardened steel components is a great choice for non-corrosive environments.
Combining the cost saving and performance advantages of a nylon ball retainer with the strength and durability of steel creates a new generation of economical, high-performance thrust bearings. Typical applications include advertising signage, printing equipment, marine hardware, point of purchase displays, medical instruments, manual valves, and pharmacy automation.
Torque Transmission's cost-saving thrust bearing design incorporates the time-proven advantages of a molded nylon retainer with hardened grade steel balls and washers. This combination reduces friction, reduces noise and increase durability. We manufacture ball thrust bearings in standard, metric and custom sizes. Contact us today!
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