Bearings are transmission parts frequently used in the engineering machinery equipment industry. Generally, they consist of an inner ring, an outer ring, a cage and rolling elements, playing roles such as reducing friction and improving the transmission efficiency of the main shaft. According to the actual usage scenarios, ceramic balls or steel balls can be selected as the rolling elements inside the bearings. But what are the differences between ceramic ball bearings and steel ball bearings?

What are the differences between ceramic ball bearings and steel ball bearings?

1. Material differences

The rolling elements inside ceramic ball bearings are made of ceramic materials. This material has the characteristics of being lightweight, highly hard, corrosion-resistant, and resistant to high temperatures. In contrast, the balls and the inner and outer rings inside steel ball bearings are all made of steel materials, such as high-carbon chromium bearing steel. Steel is relatively strong and durable and is suitable for use in most industries.

2. Rotational speed capabilities

The ceramic balls inside ceramic ball bearings have a light mass, low friction, and a low temperature rise. They have good stability at higher rotational speeds and are suitable for use under extremely high rotational speed conditions, such as in ultra-high-speed equipment like high-speed motors and turbochargers. Although steel ball bearings can also operate at high rotational speeds, their limiting speeds are a bit lower. If they run at high speeds for a long time, the accumulation of heat may affect the performance of the bearings.

3. Service life

The ceramic materials inside ceramic ball bearings have relatively good corrosion resistance and can be used in some special environments. Moreover, ceramic balls have high hardness and strong wear resistance, and their service life is much longer than that of steel ball bearings, especially under high-speed, low-lubrication, or no-lubrication conditions. In comparison, steel is prone to corrosion, and sometimes it needs to be protected by means such as coatings or seals to extend its service life.

4. Electrical insulation performance

Ceramics are natural insulators that can prevent the passage of current through the bearings and effectively prevent the problem of electrical corrosion. Therefore, ceramic ball bearings are suitable for applications that require electrical insulation, such as in motors. Steel ball bearings are conductive, and electrical corrosion may occur when they are used in an electrical current environment for a long time, affecting the service life of the bearings.

Which is more expensive, ceramic ball bearings or steel ball bearings?

In comparison, the manufacturing cost of ceramic ball bearings is relatively high. They are usually made of high-performance ceramics such as silicon nitride or zirconium oxide. The prices of these special materials are significantly higher than those of steel ball bearings, and they are usually only used in applications that require special properties. In addition, steel ball bearings are made of high-strength bearing steel, which has a lower cost and is widely used in various mechanical equipment.

Ceramic ball bearings have more excellent performance than steel ball bearings and are also more expensive in terms of price. In comparison, the manufacturing process of steel ball bearings is simple, and the requirements for manufacturers are not very high. Ceramic balls are different. Only powerful bearing manufacturers like Sanli Bearings can supply them in batches and meet the customized needs of customers.