What is bearing? Classification of bearings and bearing lubrication OilVs Grease

What is bearing?

Bearing is the most important element of industrial machinery equipment and automobiles. Bearings reduce the friction between two rotating and linear equipment and enhance the speed and efficiency. Bearings are classified according to uses of application, Operation, direction of load to equipment and motions. Let's discuss about the classification of bearings.

Classification of Bearings

There are two main Categories of Bearing

1. Thrust Bearing 

1. Radial Bearing

Classification of bearings

1. Roller Bearing
2. Linear Bearing
3. Ball Bearing- (Single row and double row)
4. Ball thrust bearing
5. Thrust Bearing
6. Roller thrust bearing
7. Tapered roller Bearing
8. Needle roller Bearing
9. Linear bearing
10. Ball bush bearing 

Roller Bearing

Roller bearing is also a common bearing and widely used in the industrial sector. It can carry a maximum amount of radial load than other common types of bearings. Roller bearing used roller instead of a ball between the gaps of two radial faces. This bearing roller makes line contact where ball bearing makes point contact. Due to the use roller it provides higher accuracy and performance over a long period of time. Roller bearing is preferable for

• High speed operation
• Need minimum lubrication
• Long lifetime.

Ball bearing

Ball bearing is the most widely used bearing and also a common type of bearing. This type of bearing can handle Thrust load and radial load at once. It reduces the rotational friction and enhances the application performance. Ball bearings used two races which contain ball and loads are transmitted by balls. It is lower load capacity bearing for their small contact area between races and balls. It is less expensive and can be made with Chrome steel and stainless steel. Ceramic balls and metal races are used in hybrid bearings.

Thrust Bearing

Thrust bearing is a rotary type bearing and allows rotation between single or multiple parts. They are specially designed for axial loads. There are varieties of thrust bearing available that are used in industrial and automotive fields. Here we discussed the main two categories of thrust bearing.classification of bearings

1. Ball thrust bearing
2. Roller thrust bearing

Ball thrust bearing

Ball thrust bearing are also known as rotary ball bearing. They are specially developed to handle high axial loads. Ball thrust bearing can be separated into three individual parts. In this bearing, two grooved raceways and rolling ball bearings are installed in a cage. It can be single or dual direction depending on their application of uses. They are most preferable for axial load and not recommended for radial load. Ball thrust bearing can achieve higher speed than roller thrust bearing. Here are some applications of ball thrust bearings: industrial pumps, Industrial transmissions and Industrial fans.

Roller thrust bearing

Roller thrust bearings are designed to handle Impact and heavy axial loads. It can carry both single and double direction thrust loads. These bearings design can be grooved, flat, tapered and convex. There are several types of Roller thrust bearing 

• Cylindrical roller thrust bearing
• Needle roller thrust bearing
• Tapered roller thrust bearing
• Spherical roller thrust bearing

Tapered roller Bearing

Tapered roller bearing can handle a large amount of radial and thrust load. It consists of a cup and cone assembly and composed of inner and outer rings and tapered roller. Typically it is used in car hubs because they can handle a variety of loads. It is most commonly used in heavy duty applications where they need moderate speeds and durability. The contact angle of the bearing is variable and it depends on the loading ratio. Tapered roller bearing has a long life, dimensional stability and durable steel cage.

• Single row
• Double row
• For row tapered roller bearings are available used in industrial and manufacturing fields.

Needle roller bearing

Needle roller bearing has some cylindrical roller around it.It is most commonly found in the chain drive system, crankshaft and chassis of the motorcycle that allows easy movement with the ease of loads. Needle roller bearing size is compact and takes a limited space where it is installed. This bearing can handle high radial loads. This bearing reduces the size and weight of the machinery.

Linear bearing

Linear bearing is designed to provide linear or free motion in single direction. It is installed inside the round or square rail. Usually these bearings are most commonly used in automotive and industrial machinery. It can carry heavy loads. It is manufactured in two individual types: roller slides and ball slides.

Ball bush bearing

Ball bush bearing is the type of bearing that consists of a cylindrical shape housing which has a couple of ball arrangement inside. It allows motion in a single direction. It can be flange mounted where the flange holds the bearing tightly. Flange or round rail is installed according to the requirement of the application. It is most commonly used for their minimum of frictional resistance and higher accuracy for the movement.

Bearing lubricant Oil VS grease

Advantages of using Oil to the bearing

• Good heat dissipation ability.
• Oil can be filtered for cleaning.
• It can gain higher speed
• Ability of circulation 

Disadvantages of using Oil to the bearing

• Much more leakage possibility.
• System should be complicated.

Advantages of using Grease to the bearing

• Easy to use.
• No leakage probability.

Disadvantages of using Grease to the bearing

• Less heat dissipation ability
• Grabs contaminants easily.
• Cannot retain higher speed than oil.

classification of bearings

Our facebook group