Fractured Spherical Bearings

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Fractured Spherical Bearings – Technical Overview

IBSCO supplies high-performance fractured spherical bearings designed for dynamic, high-load, and oscillating applications across the aerospace, military, defense, and heavy industrial sectors. These bearings are manufactured by leading OEMs known for precision, durability, and compliance with military and aerospace specifications, including:

NHBB (New Hampshire Ball Bearings) – Including the Rod-End and Spherical Bearing Division
Kamatics (KAron Bearings Division) – High-load polymer-lined spherical bearings
Aurora Bearing Company – Precision-engineered aerospace and military spherical bearings
RBC Bearings – MS, AS, and MIL-SPEC compliant spherical and rod end bearings
SKF Aerospace, Timken, and FK Rod Ends

All fractured spherical bearings distributed by IBSCO are available with full documentation, traceability, and AS9100/AS9120/ISO 9001-certified processing.

What Are Fractured Spherical Bearings?

Fractured spherical bearings (also called split race spherical bearings) are plain spherical bearings manufactured with a two-piece outer ring that is “fractured” (i.e., split) along a parting line after heat treatment. This construction allows the inner ring (ball) to be installed after final machining, enabling tight radial and axial clearances, extended wear life, and high-performance dynamic operation.

Key Characteristics:

Fractured Outer Ring: Enables assembly around a one-piece spherical inner ring for precise fit and low looseness.
Spherical Inner Ring (Ball): Allows high degrees of angular misalignment and oscillation.
Liner Material: PTFE-based or self-lubricating composite liners for maintenance-free operation in high-load environments.
High Misalignment Capability: Typically ±5° to ±15°, depending on design and clearance.
Maintenance-Free or Re-Lubricable: Available with PTFE liners (self-lubricating) or metal-to-metal for re-lubrication access.

Internal Construction:

Component

Description

Spherical raceway allows for angular movement of the inner ring

Outer Ring

Contains two raceways for twin rows of balls; mounted directly to shaft

Inner Ring

Two rows of precision-grade balls reduce friction and distribute loads

Ball Set

Maintains ball spacing; available in pressed steel, machined brass, or polymer

Cage (Retainer)

Performance Characteristics:

Parameter

Typical Range / Notes

Up to ±3°

Misalignment Angle

10,000–20,000 RPM depending on seal, size, lubrication

Speed Capability

Moderate (better than single-row deep groove bearings)

Radial Load Capacity

Low – not suitable for pure axial loads

Axial Load Capacity

Extended when misalignment is properly managed

Service Life

Performance Characteristics:

Parameter

Typical Range / Notes

Up to ±3°

Misalignment Angle

10,000–20,000 RPM depending on seal, size, lubrication

Speed Capability

Moderate (better than single-row deep groove bearings)

Radial Load Capacity

Low – not suitable for pure axial loads

Axial Load Capacity

Extended when misalignment is properly managed

Service Life

Liner Technologies

1. PTFE-Based Self-Lubricating Liners

Maintenance-free operation
Low friction coefficient (µ < 0.10)
Certified to MIL-B-81935 and AS81820 standards
Brands include KAron V, RBC Liners, NHBB self-lube liners

2. KAron® V and KAron® E2

Proprietary fiber-reinforced PTFE liner
High dynamic load capacity
Excellent dimensional stability under thermal expansion

3. Metal-to-Metal

Grease-lubricated or oil-lubricated
Higher friction, but superior load capacity
Re-lubrication via grooves and lubrication ports

Typical Applications

Self-aligning ball bearings are ideal for applications where shaft misalignment is inherent or unavoidable due to system design or dynamic loads.

Industry

Application Example

Benefits of Self-Aligning Design

Aerospace

Flight actuators, power generators

Reduces misalignment-induced fatigue

Military Systems

Targeting systems, drive systems

Reliable in high-vibration environments

Food Processing

Conveyor rollers, mixers

Stainless options available; low maintenance

Paper Mills

Roller assemblies, slitters

Handles thermal expansion and shaft deflection

HVAC & Fans

Impeller shafts, motor mounts

Tolerates misalignment due to thermal loads

Agricultural Equipment

Mowers, balers, combines

Resists shaft deflection from uneven terrain

IBSCO Value-Added Services

IBSCO enhances your bearing lifecycle and compliance through the following certified services:

Clean Room Processing & Lubrication

AS9100 Class 6 clean room
Grease control ±0.5mg for high-speed pivot applications
Compatible with aerospace-grade lubricants (e.g., Braycote, Nye, Krytox)

Inspection & Serialization

Part marking, serialization, and certification to customer specs
Ultrasonic and visual inspection of fracture surfaces upon request
Full traceability with material certs and DFARS compliance

Assembly & Packaging

Bearing staking and bonding services
Custom packaging for cleanroom or aerospace line readiness
Private labeling and MIL-SPEC packaging

Inventory & Supply Chain

Multi-year stocking and Just-in-Time delivery
Long-Term Agreements (LTAs)
Government/DoD contract support and cage code traceability

Certifications and Compliance

All fractured spherical bearings and services from IBSCO are delivered under:

AS9100D / AS9120B
ISO 9001:2015
MIL-SPEC (e.g., MIL-B-81935, AS81820, NAS, MS Series)
RoHS, DFARS, and REACH compliant options
Complete material traceability and documentation packages

Contact IBSCO

As a certified distributor and bearing specialist with over four decades of experience, IBSCO provides precision fractured spherical bearings backed by technical support, aerospace-certified processing, and full lifecycle traceability.