The Influence of Bearing Material Selection on Bearing Performance

Jul 12, 2024

The influence of bearing material selection on bearing performance is a crucial link in the bearing design and manufacturing process. Suitable materials can not only ensure the basic performance of bearings but also greatly extend their service life and improve the overall performance of equipment. The following will discuss in detail the selection of bearing materials and their influence on bearing performance.

Selection of bearing materials

The selection of bearing materials needs to be determined based on the specific use environment and requirements of the bearings. Generally speaking, bearing materials should meet the following requirements:

1. Sufficient hardness and strength: Bearings need to withstand various forces and moments during operation, so the material is required to have sufficient hardness and strength to ensure the bearing's load-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance.

2. Good wear resistance: Bearings will produce relative movement with shafts or other components during operation, so the material is required to have good wear resistance to reduce bearing wear and extend service life.

3. Good corrosion resistance: Bearings are often used in bad and harsh environments, such as high temperature, humidity, corrosion, and other environments, so the material is required to have good corrosion resistance to ensure the performance of bearings in these environments.

4. Good processability: Bearing materials should have good processability so that they can be processed into bearings of various shapes and sizes.

According to the above requirements, commonly used bearing materials include steel, ceramic, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc. Among them, steel is the most commonly used bearing material, including carbon steel, high carbon steel, stainless steel, chrome steel, alloy steel, etc. Ceramic bearings have the advantages of high strength, high hardness, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, but they are expensive and difficult to manufacture and install. PTFE bearings can reduce friction and are resistant to high temperatures, but they are easily squeezed and deformed and need to be equipped with suitable filling materials.

FV bearings attach great importance to the selection of materials. The following are the selection criteria, including the selection of bearing steel, carburizing steel, and cage materials.

The influence of bearing materials on bearing performance

1. The influence of hardness and strength

The inflexibility and durability of bearing materials influence the load-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance of the bearing. Materials with high hardness and strength can withstand greater forces and torques and are suitable for high-load, high-speed, and high-precision bearing applications. Materials with low hardness and strength are suitable for low-speed, low-load, and low-precision bearing applications. Therefore, when selecting bearing materials, the hardness and strength of the material need to be determined according to the specific conditions and requirements of use.

2. The influence of wear resistance

The wear resistance of the bearing material directly affects the service life of the bearing. Materials designed for excellent wear resistance work to minimize bearing wear and significantly prolong the bearing's service life. Materials with poor wear resistance can accelerate bearing wear and shorten service life. Therefore, when selecting bearing materials, it is necessary to focus on the wear resistance of the material.

3. The influence of corrosion resistance

Bearings are often used in applications in harsh environments, such as high temperatures, humidity, and corrosion. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of the bearing material is also an important indicator. Materials with good corrosion resistance can resist the erosion of these harsh environments and ensure the stability and reliability of the bearing. Materials with poor corrosion resistance are easily affected by the environment, resulting in bearing failure. Therefore, when selecting bearing materials, it is necessary to consider the corrosion resistance of the material in a specific environment.

4. The influence of processability

The processability of the bearing material is also one of the factors that need to be considered when selecting materials. Materials with good processability can be easily processed into bearings of various shapes and sizes, improving production efficiency and reducing costs. Materials with poor processability will bring difficulties to processing and increase production costs. Therefore, when selecting bearing materials, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the processability and other performance indicators of the material.

In summary, the selection of bearing materials has a multi-faceted impact on bearing performance. When selecting bearing materials, it is necessary to determine the performance indicators of the material according to the specific conditions and requirements of use and comprehensively consider factors such as the hardness and strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and processability of the material. Only in this way can the most suitable bearing material be selected to ensure the performance and service life of the bearing.