by Doug Martin,
Rolling Bearing Types FAG Bearings Limited
Bearings are designed to decrease
friction. One of the challenges is
understanding the different types and
characteristics of a bearing, ensuring
the right part for the appropriate
application. The following article
provides an overview of these issues.
The rolling bearings differ according to:
• The direction of main load; radial load or axial (thrust)
load:
–radial bearings have a nominal contact angle of 0˚ to 45˚
–thrust bearings have a nominal contact angle of 45˚ to 90˚
–the contact angle is the angle included by the contact
line of the rolling elements and the radial plane of the
bearing.
• The type of rolling elements; ball, roller (tapered,
barrel, cylindrical, spherical), needle.
Other distinctive characteristics:
• Separable or non-separable— i.e., the inner race and/or
outer race can come apart from the bearing:
–axial displaceablility of the bearing rings
–ability of the bearing to mis-align.
• The essential difference between ball and roller bearings:
–ball bearings: lower load carrying capacity, higher
speeds
–roller bearings: higher load carrying capacity, lower
speeds.
Roller Bearing Parts
Rolling bearings generally consist of the 2 bearing rings:
inner ring and outer ring, the rolling elements, and the cage.
ROLLING ELEMENTS
The rolling elements are subdivided according to shape
into balls, cylindrical rollers, needle rollers, tapered rollers,
and barrel rollers.
The rolling elements’ task is the transfer of the force
acting on the bearing from one ring to the other. For a high
load carrying capacity it is important that as many rolling
elements as possible which are as large as possible are
accommodated between the bearing rings. Their number and
size depend on the cross section of the bearing.
BEARING RINGS
The bearing rings—inner and outer ring—guide the
rolling elements in the direction of rotation. Raceway
grooves lips and inclined running areas take over the
guidance and the transmission of axial loads in trans-
verse directions.
CAGES
Functions of the cage:
• To keep the rolling elements apart so that they do not
rub against each other.
• To keep the rolling elements at an equal distance for
uniform load distribution.
• To prevent rolling elements from falling out of separable
bearings and from bearings which are swiveled out.
• To guide the rolling elements in the unloaded zone of
the bearings.
T H E B C B C O M M U N I C A T O R 35
Tech Tips
Load Ratings
The load rating of a bearing reflects the load carrying
capacity. It is determined by the number and size of the
rolling elements, by the curvature ratio, the contact angle,
and the pitch circle diameter.
Every rolling bearing has a dynamic load rating and a
static load rating. The terms “dynamic” and “static” refer to
the movement of the bearing, not to the type of load.
DYNAMIC LOAD RATING
The dynamic load rating C is a factor for the load
carrying capacity of a rolling bearing under dynamic load.
It is defined as the load on a group of identical rolling
bearings, rotating at the same conditions, 90% of which
will have a life of 1 million revolutions before they fail due
to fatigue.
STATIC LOAD RATING
The static load rating CO is the load of a stationary
bearing which causes a total plastic deformation of 0.01% of
the rolling element’s diameter at the most heavily loaded
rolling element.
Limiting Speed
The limiting speeds listed in the catalogue indicate the suit-
ability of bearings for high speeds. The values were determined
in such a way that they are reached by bearings with normal
precision and design provided they are correctly mounted.
Additional requirements to achieve the limiting speed:
• Correct bearing clearance after mounting
• Rigid housing and shafts
• Effective sealing
• Suitable lubrication
• No external heat source or high operating temperatures
• Radial load only for radial bearings
• Axial load only for thrust bearings
• Moderate loads (those giving a bearing life of about
30,000 hours)
Limiting speeds can be exceeded if you have:
• Increased bearing clearance.
• Special cage designs and cage materials.
• Application of precision bearings and very accurately
finished bearing seats.
• Special measures regarding the lubrication system and
the lubricant such that the lubricant removes heat from
the bearing.
Bearing Clearance
The bearing clearance is the dimension by which one bearing
ring can be freely displaced relative to the other.
There is a distinction made between radial and axial
bearing clearance.
• Radial bearing clearance is the displacement
perpendicular to the bearing axis.
• Axial bearing clearance is the displacement along the
bearing axis.
36 T H E B C B C O M M U N I C A T O R
The amount of clearance is standardized in the bearing
industry and most Radial Bearings are classified into groups
designated by the C clearance groups.
Clearance Group Suffix Bearing Clearance
C1 Smaller than C2
C2 Smaller than normal
CO or CN Normal
C3 Larger than normal
C4 Larger than C3
C5 Larger than C4
The amount of clearance depends on the bearing type
and size.
The suffix for the clearance group is always added to the
bearing code number except for the CO or CN for normal
clearance.
The larger bearing clearances (C3..C5) are selected for
tight fits and/or for a large temperature difference between
the inner and outer rings. Bearing clearances C2 or C1 are
used if very rigid shaft guidance is required such as in a
ship’s rudder.
Alignment
The machining of the bearing seats of a shaft or of housing
can lead to misalignment. Misalignment can be expected
when the housing seats are not both machined at the same
time such as when a pillow block is used.
Self-aligning bearings—self-aligning ball bearings, barrel
roller bearings, and spherical roller bearings—compensate
for misalignment. These bearings have a sphered outer ring
raceway enabling the inner ring and the rolling elements to
run true when the outer ring and inner ring are misaligned.
These bearings also adjust to shaft deflections and housing
deformations caused by loading.
Fits
Tightness or looseness of a rolling bearing on the shaft or in
the housing is determined by the fits. Generally speaking,
the ring that rotates is the one that is tightly fitted.
Note that this does not apply in shaker screens or other
applications that have a rotating eccentric load. A bearing
manufacturer’s technical representative should be consulted
before any changes to the fits are done.
When selecting the fit the following should be taken into
account:
• The greater the load, the tighter the fit should be
especially when shock loads are expected.
• Expansion of the shaft due to heat from the application.
• The radial clearance is reduced by tight fits so a bearing
with greater clearance should be used.
Locating/Floating Bearings
A shaft is generally supported at both ends. The bearing at
one end holds the shaft in position, this is the fixed bearing.
The bearing at the other end allows for the shaft’s linear
expansion that occurs as the shaft warms, this is called the
floating bearing.
The linear expansion can be accommodated by: would be used in the housing.
• The bearing floating in the housing if a non- • The linear displacement occurs within the bearing if a
separable bearing (ball bearing, spherical roller separable bearing is used such as a needle bearing or a
bearing) has been selected. G, H or J tolerances cylindrical roller bearing. 

The accompanying graphs show the

comparative differences between the

different types of bearings with respect

to the speed limit, radial capacity, axial

capacity and misalignment capacity.

T H E B C B C O M M U N I C A T O R 37
Tech Tips

Doug Martin is a mechanical engineer who is a Regional Technical questions or comments regarding bearings can be
Manager for FAG Bearings in Vancouver, BC. directed to him at dmartin@fag-bearings.ca

Product Profiles

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38 T H E B C B C O M M U N I C A T O R