Ball bearing technology

A ball bearing is a round rolling element that uses balls to maintain space between bearing races thus they are used in machines that involve moving parts or have moving as their main work to help reduce friction and work smoothly as they operate. Some materials from which bearings are made are white metals, Bronze, Copper-lead alloy, cast iron, Silver, Aluminum alloy, porous metal, Non-metallic materials.

A ball bearing’s main purpose is to:

• Reduce friction during movement in order to increase the efficiency of a machine
• Support radial and axial loads through the usage of two races to contain the balls and transmit the loads through the balls

Properties of ball bearings:

For a bearing to work effectively, it should have some desired properties or required standards and they are:

• High compressive & fatigue strength – Since pressure is exerted on a bearing in the machine it operates, it should have the ability to withstand a lot of pressure without breaking down easily
• The ability to form strong bonds with other materials or steel
• High corrosion resistance – As lubricants are applied to bearings for a better work result, high temperature causes rust hence causing the production of acidic fluids and if bearings are not highly resistant to corrosion, they would break down easily
• A good quality bearing should be able to conform even after high heat temperature has been applied to it for a good period of time before it breaks down completely
• A bearing should have the feature of being able to contain dust in lubricating oil

Types of bearings

• Self – aligning ball bearing

• Double direction thrust ball bearing

• Deep groove ball bearing

• Single row deep groove ball bearing with filling slots

• Double row deep groove ball bearing

You can shop any of these bearings and many more at Nakib Picasso Company Limited in Ghana