ballbearing

Ball bearings are rolling-element bearings that use spheres to separate bearing surfaces, reducing friction and allowing smooth relative motion. They consist of an inner race, an outer race, rolling elements (the balls), and a cage that spaces the balls. Load is carried by the balls as they roll, converting sliding friction to rolling friction and supporting radial and axial loads in many designs.

Materials and manufacturing: Races are typically hardened steel; balls are usually steel, though ceramic materials such as silicon nitride are used in high-speed or high-precision applications. Some bearings use stainless steel for corrosion resistance. Bearings are lubricated with grease or oil and may include seals or shields to retain lubricant and exclude contaminants. Cages can be steel, brass, or polymers.

Common types include radial ball bearings (single-row and deep-groove), angular-contact bearings, self-aligning bearings, and thrust bearings. They are available sealed, shielded, or open, with various bore sizes.

Applications: Ball bearings are used across industry and consumer products, including automotive wheel hubs, electric motors, machine tools, aerospace components, power tools, and household appliances. They offer high-speed operation, relatively low friction, and ease of maintenance, but are best suited to moderate loads and are sensitive to contamination and misalignment. Proper lubrication and seal selection are essential for long life.

History: Modern ball bearing development progressed from the 18th to the 20th centuries, with significant advances in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The establishment of SKF by Sven Wingquist in 1907 and the introduction of split inner rings contributed to mass production and widespread use of ball bearings.