Ceramic bearings comprise ceramic rolling elements (balls) contained in ferrous (usually steel) inner and outer races. These bearings frequently function in hybrid capacities since they are made of several materials. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
LSP Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC | 609-397-8330, 609-397-8341As a manufacturer and stocking distributor of industrial and technical ceramics, LSP carries the most diversified inventory of ceramic tubes, spacers, bushings, etc. in the industry.
C-Mac International, LLC
Cheswick, PA | 412-406-7171C-Mac International, LLC is a custom ceramics supplier. We provide advanced ceramic component parts manufacturing for a variety of industries and provide solutions to many ceramic needs.
Insaco Inc.
Quakertown, PA | 215-536-3500Insaco provides custom grinding and machining services to fabricate precision parts from sapphire, quartz, and most technical ceramics including alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and others.
Applied Ceramics
Fremont, CA | 510-249-9700Applied Ceramics is a fabricator of custom-made ceramic parts designed for semiconductor, solar, fuel cell, oil drilling, nuclear, and numerous other industries. Materials include ACI-995 Alumina, Zirconia, and more. Our extensive experience with precision designs supported by our team of specialists ensures that our customers have the ideal solution to meet the needs of their application. To get started, contact us today!
Refractron Technologies Corp.
Newark, NY | 888-285-5994Refractron partners with companies that have fluid control applications requiring plug, seat, ball & seat or check ball components to name a few and that require a lower cost, strong, tough product of low wear. We manufacture ceramic plungers for high pressure pumps and waterjet cutting. Our aquaculture diffusers are custom manufactured in the shape of discs, plates or tubes constructed from glass-bonded silica, porous alumina or silicon carbide.
Technical Products, Inc.
Hubertus, WI | 800-869-2008Technical Products, Inc. has been manufacturing and distributing a wide variety of ceramics for 30 years. We are capable of meeting the demands of our constantly changing industry with our modern, fully equipped facility. We can produce prototypes as well as full production orders. Visit our website to learn more about our ceramic manufacturing capabilities.
What are Ceramic Bearings?
Ceramic bearings comprise ceramic rolling elements (balls) contained in ferrous (usually steel) inner and outer races. These bearings frequently function in hybrid capacities since they are made of several materials. Ceramic bearings are ceramic items that help two or more things move about one another. One example of a ceramic bearing is the metal slide mounted to a desk or dresser drawer that enables drawers to be pulled in and out.
All bearings, whether made of metal, ceramic, or another material, enable the movement of parts. There are numerous types of movement, and numerous bearing designs are available to support them.
Design of Ceramic Bearings
Ceramic bearings are available in a huge assortment of sizes and shapes, given that they are utilized in a wide range of items. For example, a ceramic bearing for rotating axles can take the form of a greased cylinder around which the axle rotates.
More complex bearings use a sequence of spherical, conic, or rod forms to permit the movement of two objects relative to one another. Each bearing construction material must be strong enough to support weight for lengthy periods, often with uneven distribution, without cracking.
They must also be abrasion-resistant because constant friction from movement can damage surfaces. In addition, they must be consistently formed to prevent movement obstructions and not corrode when exposed to the grease and oils required for smooth movement. Because they are durable and heat- and corrosion-resistant, several ceramics have proven to be the ideal bearing building materials.
Benefits of Using Ceramic Bearings
- Increased rigidity: The ceramic balls' improved smoothness, dimensional stability, and uniformity over steel ball bearings are the key causes of the decreased rolling resistance. These characteristics guarantee that applied loads are dispersed equally across all rolling parts. Additionally, compared to steel ball bearings with conventional seals and lubrication, ceramic materials have a much lower coefficient of friction (between 20 and 30 times lower). The lower friction results in faster rotational speeds and less rolling resistance.
- Their lighter weight further aids ceramic bearings' improved performance over steel bearings. Comparable steel bearings might weigh up to 40% more than ceramic alternatives. This decreased weight results in less centrifugal force being applied to the outer race when the bearing rotates. Ceramic bearings can operate up to 20–40% quicker than traditional steel bearings while requiring significantly less energy to maintain their speed due to the reduction in forces.
- Ceramic bearings are more durable than steel bearings because they are tougher. Studies show ceramic bearings can last five to twenty times longer than metal bearings. The ceramics' smoother surface greatly decreases the likelihood of bearing seizure with little to no lubrication. Furthermore, ceramic bearings can function in severe conditions due to their resistance to corrosion and deterioration. Finally, the rolling elements are not at risk of electrical erosion or pitting due to their electrical insulating qualities.
- Ceramic bearings are more durable than steel bearings because they are tougher. According to studies, ceramic bearings can last five to twenty times longer than metal bearings. The likelihood of bearing seizure with little to no lubrication is also greatly decreased by the ceramics' smoother surface. Furthermore, due to their resistance to corrosion and deterioration, ceramic bearings can function in severe conditions. Finally, due to their electrical insulating qualities, the rolling elements are not at risk of electrical erosion or pitting.
Applications of Ceramic Bearings
- Ceramic bearings are frequently used in aerospace for space exploration. They are perfect for satellites and spacecraft because of their small weight and compatibility with vacuums, which improves weight capacities for enhancing flight dynamics and acceleration. Furthermore, these bearings can function without lubricants like thick oils and greases, which often collect impurities that interfere with delicate electrical components.
- Most railroad traction motors have longer lives thanks to ceramic materials. Ceramic bearings are also useful in chemical and mixing applications, particularly for preventing contamination.
- Ceramic bearings do not react with harsh chemicals or leach particles into delicate solutions since they are chemically inert. Ceramic bearings are the best choice for washdowns with highly acidic or alkaline chemical cleaning solutions because they are resistant to corrosion. Additionally, the absence of oil- and grease-based lubrication decreases the possibility of bacterial development and contamination.
