Ceramic bearings have characteristics that metal materials do not possess, such as high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, non-magnetism, electrical insulation, self-lubricating, high speed, and long service life. The rings and rolling elements are made of all ceramic materials, including zirconia (ZrO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon carbide (SiC), and aluminum oxide (AI203). The retainer is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon 66, polyether amide, zirconia silicon nitride, stainless steel or special aviation aluminum, thereby expanding the application range of ceramic bearings. Such as high-speed bearings, high-temperature bearings, corrosion-resistant bearings, anti magnetic bearings, electrically insulated bearings, etc. It has been widely used in fields such as aerospace, metallurgy and chemical industry, energy and power.

Zirconia all ceramic bearings

All ceramic bearings have the characteristics of anti magnetic and electrical insulation, wear and corrosion resistance, oil-free self-lubricating, high temperature and cold resistance, and can be used in extremely harsh environments and special working conditions. The ring and rolling element are made of zirconia (ZrO2) ceramic material, and the retainer uses polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the standard configuration. Generally, glass fiber reinforced nylon 66 (GRPA66-25), special engineering plastics (PEEK, PI), stainless steel (AISI SUS316, SUS304), brass (Cu), etc. can also be used.

Zirconia bearings

Silicon nitride all ceramic bearings

The silicon nitride all ceramic bearing ring and rolling element are made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic material, and the retainer uses polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the standard configuration. Generally, GRPA66-25, PEEK, PI, and phenolic laminated wood pipes can also be used. Compared to ZrO2 material, Si3N4 all ceramic bearings are suitable for higher speeds and load capacities, as well as for higher ambient temperatures. At the same time, precision ceramic bearings can be provided for high-speed, high-precision, and high rigidity spindles, with a maximum manufacturing accuracy of P4 to UP levels.

Silicon nitride bearings

Silicon carbide all ceramic bearings

Pressure free sintered silicon carbide (SSiC) has excellent characteristics such as high hardness, high wear resistance, low friction coefficient, strong oxidation resistance, strong thermal stability, low thermal expansion coefficient, high thermal conductivity, as well as resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion. The bearing ring and rolling element of SSiC are made of pressure free sintered silicon carbide (ssiC) ceramics, and the cage is made of PTFE. Compared with bearings made of zirconia and silicon nitride materials, it can be suitable for higher temperatures and more harsh corrosion environments.

Installation and Use Instructions for All Ceramic Bearings

1、 Installation of ceramic bearings

When installing bearings, it is necessary to apply equal pressure on the circumference of the end face of the ring. To install the ring, it is strictly prohibited to directly hit the end face of the ring with a hammer or other heavy objects to avoid damaging the bearing. In addition, if one side of the ring (such as the outer circle) is pressed in, it often causes indentations or scratches on the rolling surface, and should not be used, especially when installing non separable bearings on the bearing housing simultaneously. As shown in the figure, use shims to evenly press in the inner and outer rings.

2、 Matching of ceramic bearings

（1） Interference fit

Fix the inner and outer rings of the rolling bearing onto the shaft or bearing housing. When it is subjected to a load, ensure that the mating surface between the ring and the bearing box does not experience relative radial and rotational movements. Will this relative movement cause wear, friction corrosion, or friction cracks on the mating surface? To cause damage to bearings, shafts, and axle boxes, leading to the mixing of wear powder into the interior of the bearings, resulting in poor operation, abnormal heating, or vibration. Regarding the method of fixing bearings, how to fit them by allowing interference to flow out on the mating surface between the ring and the shaft or bearing housing? For the best, this cooperation course ensures that the load on the thin-walled ring is evenly distributed on the circumference, without affecting the bearing's load capacity. However, when using static fit, except for the inconvenience of installing and removing bearings, when using separate bearings on the free side, it cannot be turned or moved, so it cannot be used in all situations. Please contact our company for specific issues during installation.

（2） Selection of cooperation

The selection of cooperation generally follows the following principles. According to the direction and nature of the load acting on the bearing, as well as the direction of rotation of the inner and outer rings, the load borne by each ring can be divided into rotational load, static load, and non directional load. The ring that bears rotating and non directional loads should be fitted with a static fit (interference fit), and the ring that bears static loads should be fitted with a filter fit or a dynamic fit (clearance fit). When the bearing is overloaded or vibrated, and subjected to impact loads, its interference must increase. Hollow shafts, thin-walled bearing boxes, or light alloys should be used. When making plastic bearing boxes, it is also necessary to increase the interference amount. When maintaining high rotational accuracy, high-precision bearings must be used, and the dimensional accuracy of the shaft and bearing housing should be improved to avoid excessive interference. If the interference is too large, it may affect the geometric accuracy of the shaft or bearing housing and affect the geometric shape of the bearing ring. This can damage the rotational accuracy of the bearings. If both the inner and outer rings of separated bearings (such as deep groove ball bearings) are in a static fit, the installation and disassembly of the bearings are extremely inconvenient. It is best to use a dynamic fit on one side of the inner and outer rings.

Bearing installation diagram

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