Ceramic Ball Bearings

Bearing users can gain significant performance advantages by switching from traditional steel bearings to ceramic ball bearings. Bearing balls made of silicon nitride (Si3N4), an extremely hard non-metallic material rated for speeds up to 2 million dN, provide a set of benefits that open the door for innovative technology solutions.

Ceramic Ball Bearing Benefits

High speed, faster acceleration comes from a material only 40% as dense as steel, yet strong enough to deliver 30-50% higher running speeds with reduced skidding and a lower volume of lubrication
Greater accuracy is the result of balls with a 50% higher modulus of elasticity than steel. This greater rigidity means less of the deformation that leads to vibration and spindle deflection, thus increasing both component quality and productivity
Reduced friction leads to a host of benefits: longer life, less lubrication, energy efficiency, reduced sound levels and less heat
Non-conductive properties of a nonmetal like silicon nitride eliminate the pitting and fluting of raceways common in electric motor applications
Corrosion resistance of silicon nitride makes it more effective than steel bearing balls in the presence of water or corrosive chemicals
Longer operating life …5 to 10 times longer than standard metal bearings

IBSCO: Ceramic experts

Looking to put ceramic bearing advantages to work on a new or retrofit project? Make an IBSCO bearing specialist your first call. Our industry pros will help you find the right ceramic product for the application, choosing from a broad selection of in-stock and accessible components from the bearing industry’s leading manufacturers. Click here to contact us, and get things rolling with a new ceramic bearing project.