Can bearings of different structures of the same size be interchangeable?

Nov 26, 2024

Bearings are important mechanical parts that convert rotational motion into linear motion and bear axial loads, and are widely used in industries such as industry and automobiles. Bearing models are usually composed of letters and numbers, representing their specific structure and performance parameters. In some cases, bearings of different models may have the same size, but even if the size is the same, bearings of different structures are different in structure, bearing load capacity, precision, etc., so they cannot be interchanged and used. The following is a detailed explanation of this point of view:

There are many types of bearings. According to the structure and purpose of the bearing, bearings can be divided into many types, including rolling bearings and sliding bearings. Rolling bearings are the most common type of bearings. They reduce friction between mechanical parts by rolling the rolling elements between the inner and outer rings and support and guide moving parts. Sliding bearings are bearings that reduce friction through oil film.

Rolling bearings usually include roller bearings, ball bearings, etc. Roller bearings are bearings composed of rollers whose rolling elements are usually cylindrical or conical, with high rigidity and load-bearing capacity. They are widely used in various high-speed and high-precision mechanical equipment, such as automobiles, motors, aircraft, etc. Ball bearings are bearings composed of spherical rolling elements and are widely used in various mechanical equipment with medium speeds and loads, such as automobiles, motors, agricultural machinery, etc. Sliding bearings are usually used in low-speed and heavy-load mechanical equipment, such as turbines, generators, metallurgical equipment, etc.

The structure of bearings can be divided into many types according to the shape and placement of rolling elements and inner and outer rings. For example, the inner and outer rings of deep groove ball bearings are spherical, and the rolling elements are steel balls; the inner and outer rings of contact ball bearings are spherical, and the rolling elements are tapered rollers; the inner and outer rings of tapered roller bearings are tapered, and the rolling elements are tapered rollers; the inner and outer rings of spherical roller bearings are cylindrical or spherical, and the rolling elements are rollers; the inner and outer rings of cylindrical roller bearings are cylindrical, and the rolling elements are cylindrical rollers.

Bearings of different structures may have completely different performance and application scenarios, even if they are the same size. For example, roller bearings have high rigidity and load-bearing capacity. They are suitable for high-speed and high-precision mechanical equipment. In contrast, ball bearings have a small friction coefficient and high rotation accuracy and are suitable for mechanical equipment with medium speed and load. Sliding bearings are suitable for low-speed and heavy-load mechanical equipment due to their structural characteristics.

In addition, although the bearings have the same size, there may be differences in the inner diameter, outer diameter, ball disc diameter, etc., which means that their bearing capacity, wear resistance, and service life are still very different. If bearings of different structures are mixed by mistake during use, it may cause equipment failure or even serious accidents.

Therefore, when purchasing bearings, we should select bearings that meet the requirements according to the actual needs and technical requirements of the equipment and ensure their quality and reliability to ensure the normal operation and service life of the equipment. At the same time, when replacing bearings, it is also necessary to ensure that the model of the new bearing matches the old bearing and avoid using overly violent or improper methods to avoid damage to the motor or other mechanical parts.

In short, bearings of different structures cannot be replaced and used with each other, even if they are of the same size. In order to ensure the normal operation and service life of the equipment, we should strictly abide by the relevant technical requirements and operating procedures when purchasing and replacing bearings to ensure that the model, quality and reliability of the bearings meet the needs of the equipment. At the same time, we also need to continue to learn and understand the relevant knowledge of bearings and improve our professional skills and level so as to provide better strong support for the operation and maintenance of the equipment.