Bearing basics: Purpose, design features of common elements

“
Figure 1 shows
the basic components
of rolling-element
bearings. The type
of rolling element
(ball or roller) and
the metallurgy deter-
mine the load capacity of the bearing.
Generally, the higher the load capacity
of the bearing, the longer the expected
life will be at a given load point. Fol-
lowing is a discussion of the purpose
and design features of the common
By Jim Bryan elements of these bearings: the inner
EASA Technical Support Specialist and outer races, the rolling elements,
T he races provide a
track for the rolling ele-
ments and confine them to
a specific location. This
helps position the parts of
the equipment while the
component that is in mo-
tion is free to move. In the
case of a motor, the rotor
is allowed to spin in the
stator while maintaining a
small air gap and limiting

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available in English and Spanish in the
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l l l l l
Rolling-element bearing construc-
tion has become a very precise and
exacting process. Studies have shown
that more than one-half of motors that
come to service centers are because of
worn out or failed bearings. This is un-
derstandable since this component is
subject to wear and sometimes abuse.
Bearing manufacturers are called upon
to improve the quality and reliability
of their product to increase the time in
service before it becomes necessary to
replace the bearings. Proper applica-
tion and maintenance of the bearing
is also a key to improved reliability.
We will discuss in this article some
of the components used to better
understand what applications can be
accommodated.
”
cages, and shields and seals.
axial movement.
Races
The races provide a track for the
rolling elements and confine them to Rolling elements
a specific location. This helps position Rolling elements can be configured
the parts of the equipment while the in several different geometries. The
basic breakdown is balls or rollers.
component that is in motion is free to
Rollers have increased load capacity
move. In the case of a motor, the rotor
over balls since the rolling element has
is allowed to spin in the stator while
more contact area than a ball. The ball
maintaining a small air gap and limit-
contacts the raceways at a relatively
ing axial movement.
small point, while that contact surface
The steels used for both the races
of a roller extends along the length of
and rolling elements must have high
the roller. Various types of rollers are
fatigue strength and wear resistance.
used including cylindrical, tapered,
The steel used may be through hard-
spherical and toroidal.
ened (carbon chromium steel) or
The cylindrical rollers have a line-
case hardened (chromium-nickel or
of-contact but the spherical rollers
manganese-chromium steel). Both are
extend that line further and increase
used with practically no difference in
the capacity. Tapered rollers add a ca-
fatigue life. These steels provide a sta-
pacity for axial loading as well as the
ble performance to about 121ºC (250ºF).
radial load of the other configurations.
Higher temperatures can be achieved
The toroidal roller is a relatively new
with special steels up to about 232ºC
innovation that has a lower minimum
(450ºF). These higher temperatures
will require special lubricants as well. Continued on Page 2

Outer Race Outer Race Outer Race

Cylindrical Roller
Center Rib
Ball Inner Race Inner Race
Inner Race
Inner Race Bore Surface
Rib Guide Rib Face Roller Filling Slot
Guide Rib Face
Cage (machined Roller (spherical) Small Rib
Cage Roller Surface
cage with rivet) Rolling Surface
(pressed cage) Cage
Rivet Rivet Roller Large Roller Large
(machined cage)
Outer Race End Face End face
Side Surface Outer Diameter Surface

Figure 1. Rolling-element bearings.

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Bearing basics: Purpose, design features of common elements
Continued From Page 1

redial load requirement than other the ball riding cage is

types of rollers. These bearings can be preferred.
used in relatively heavy radial load- Cages can be made
ing or with very low loading such as using a variety of ma-
a direct-coupled application. A motor terials. Among these
with these bearings then becomes an are pressed steel,
attractive spare with flexibility in where molded polyamide,
it is used. machined bronze, Ball riding
Another relatively new innovation pressed or machined
is the use of ceramic materials such as brass and phenolic
silicon nitride for the rolling elements. cages. By far the most
This material provides excellent insula- common is pressed
tion to prevent damaging currents from steel. They are high
flowing through the bearing. Addition- strength, light weight
Inner land riding Outer race land riding
ally, they are lighter and smoother than and provide good
steel and have less friction. They can value. They are used
Figure 2. Cage location.
be used at higher speeds and higher in the most common
temperatures. Price and availability sizes and applications
have been an issue but as they are used where it provides
more widely that issue is diminishing. good service life.
Some smaller bear-
Cages ings may use molded
The purpose of the cage is to main- polyamide cages.
tain the proper spacing of the rolling These have the ad-
elements around the race and to keep vantage of smooth
them apart. The cage can be land rid- self-lubricating sur-
ing or ball riding (see Figure 2). Land faces that have less
riding cages will be guided by either friction. They have
the inner or outer race while ball rid- low inertia that Shield Contact Non-contact
ing cages are centered on the balls.  provides superior dy- seal seal
Experience has shown that the land namic balance and
riding cages will impede the oil flow quieter operation. Figure 3. Shields and seals.
in oil lubricated systems. In this case, Machined bronze
cages are used in large heavy-duty than the races. They are more reliant
bearings and provide a stable location on good lubrication so that a damaged

“ of the rolling elements. Machined cage is a good indicator that there is an

Understanding the pur-
pose of the components of
the rolling element bearing
will help to ensure they are
properly applied. Also,
when trying to determine
the cause of a failure, the
interaction and purpose
of these components will
help explain what hap-
pened and what corrective
action is required. Some-
times this may mean using
a different configuration of
bronze bearings with ball riding issue with the lubrication.
cages are generally preferred in vertical
Shields and seals
thrust bearings, especially if they are
Shields and seals offer protection
oil bath lubricated. Pressed brass cages
to the bearing from contamination
are used in some small to medium
bearings. Machined brass is similar in damage by reducing or eliminating
application to machined bronze but the possibility of infiltration of foreign
should be avoided where ammonia materials. Seals are a more aggressive
approach than shields but they also
is present due to the corrosive effects.
produce more heat from the rubber seal
Phenolic (also known as Bakelite)
cages are used in angular contact riding on the race. Low-friction seals
bearings primarily. Care should be reduce this additional heat. The seal
extended when using these bearings, is also a wear item that will eventually
fail to keep contaminates out. For these
especially in high speed (greater than
reasons seals should only be used where
2500 rpm) motors because they are not
necessary based on the application.
as stable as the other cages.

”
Note: The cage has much more sur-
bearing. face contact with the rolling elements
Continued on Page 3

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Bearing basics: Purpose, design features of common elements
Continued From Page 2

Shielded bearings have a sheet steel
barrier attached to one of the races
with a small clearance, typically about
0.005” (0.13 mm), to the opposite race.
The question often arises whether the
shielded bearing can be re-lubricated.
After considerable debate, we have
resolved that if any oil or grease can
migrate through the small opening,
it will not be enough to appreciably
increase the service life of the bear-
ing. For this reason, shielded bearings
should be used where the expected
life of the lubricant exceeds that of the
bearing, thus they are “lubed for life.”
Conclusion
Understanding the purpose of the
components of the rolling element bear-
ing will help to ensure they are properly
applied. Also, when trying to determine
the cause of a failure, the interaction
and purpose of these components will
help explain what happened and what
corrective action is required. Sometimes
this may mean using a different con-
figuration of bearing. l
Bibliography
Engineering Handbook. Kulpsville, PA:
MRC Bearing Services, 2005. Print.
SKF Bearings and Mounted Products.
Kulpsville, PA: SKF Bearing, 2008.
Print.

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