All About Thrust Bearings
A thrust bearing is a type of rotary bearing that provides high load capacities in harsh environments. This type of bearing is designed to work parallel to the shaft of a machine and deliver high axial load capacity. Other types of thrust bearings with different design aspects and dimensions offer different performance, load carrying capacity, and precision. This blog will cover thrust bearings in detail, including their applications, materials, and types.
Because different thrust bearings offer different characteristics, they can be used in a wide range of applications. For example, ball thrust bearings are used in industries such as aerospace, chemical, utility, and industrial, while roller thrust bearings are found in agriculture and other applications where a high load capacity is necessary. Just as thrust bearings have many different applications, they are made from many different materials. Of the various materials used to produce thrust bearings, the most common are stainless steel and ceramic. The bearing cage is typically made of brass, polyamide, or steel, depending on the requirements of the intended applications. To benefit the overall performance of the bearing, special lubrication is used. Furthermore, special coatings, seals, and shields are used to protect it from dust and humidity.
There are several different types and subcategories of thrust bearings, but they can be generally categorized into two major types: ball and roller. Ball and roller thrust bearings are used in different applications and machinery because of their differing performance, durability, precision, and load-carrying capacity. Ball thrust bearings are able to deliver high performance, but tend to carry less axial load than roller thrust bearings are able to. Therefore, roller thrust bearings are used in applications where high load carrying capacity is necessary.
Ball Thrust Bearings
In ball thrust bearings, balls are used to separate the inner and outer rings of the bearing. These rings are known as washers due to their shape and design. The balls are held in place by cages between raceways. Ball thrust bearings can operate at higher speeds than roller thrust bearings can, but because of their design limitations, ball thrust bearings must be used in tandem with another one in order to avoid misalignment during mounting. Depending on the application and its associated requirements, it is acceptable for one washer to be slightly smaller than the other one. Ball thrust bearings are typically made with two design variations: one variation features a grooved raceway that makes the movement of bearings frictionless, while the other lacks grooves in the raceway, allowing for a higher axial load capacity.
Roller Thrust Bearings
Roller thrust bearings are relatively similar to ball thrust bearings in terms of external design, but there are great differences in their internal structure, applications, and properties. Roller thrust bearings tend to have high load capacity but are not as high-performing as ball thrust bearings. However, the performance of roller thrust bearings can be supplemented by the addition of special lubrication. Similar to ball thrust bearings, roller thrust bearings also feature two washers, rollers, and a cage to hold those rollers. Also like ball thrust bearings, roller thrust bearings must be used in pairs.
For all types of thrust bearing assembly and nut thrust bearing parts, look no further than Aviation Axis, a trusted supplier of all kinds of aircraft components and much more. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we are an online distributor of aircraft parts as well as parts pertaining to the aerospace, civil aviation, defense, industrial, and electronics markets. For thrust bearings, we offer items from top manufacturers such as Waukesha Bearings Corporation and Curtiss Wright Corp. We’re always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7-365. For a quick and competitive quote, call us at +1(714) 705-4780 or email us at sales@aviationaxis.com.
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