Bearings may be small, but without them we wouldn’t have many of the massive machines and vehicles you can see today. Their role is vital, reducing friction between moving parts. It ensures the movement is smoother and won’t cause massive wear. There are different types to suit various applications, including heavy duty ones. We want to look at this specifically today. Then, if you want to order BS1400 PB1 phosphor bronze to create some, we can supply it.
Two main types
As we said above, there are many different types of bearings. You will likely want one of the two main types though; ball or roller.
Ball bearings
These are the simplest type, and probably the most common. They feature two races, inner and outer, with metal balls in between and a cage to separate them. The balls roll to facilitate the movement.
There are actually an impressive number of different styles of ball bearings. They have unique characteristics to suit an array of uses. Deep groove are the most common, able to deal with radial and axial loading. Self-aligning are interesting because they adjust to any issues with alignment. Miniature bearings are ideal for precision instruments thanks to their compact size.
In terms of heavy duty applications, there are some ball bearings that can work. A common choice is double row. As you would expect, they have two rows of balls instead of one. It means they can deal with higher loads. BS1400 PB1 phosphor bronze is a great choice for bearings because it has high mechanical strength.
Roller bearings
The most important detail here is these bearings have rollers instead of balls. They are cylindrical or barrel shape. The other parts are the same though, with two races and a cage to separate the rollers.
Again there is a fantastic selection of different styles. Generally the difference is the shape of the rollers. Cylindrical are the most common because they are uniform and can bear heavy loads at high speeds. Tapered are not uniform, instead tapering like a cone with races to match. You can get self-aligning spherical bearings too.
Roller bearings are generally the preference for heavy duty applications, including massive vehicles. Various types can effectively handle high axial loads. Thrust roller designs are typically best for high axial loads. As a result, you see them commonly in heavy plant machinery.
Effective shapes
Balls bearings are fantastic for their ability to roll freely. It makes them the most suitable for high speed applications. However, the contact surface area is relatively small. This means they are not usually the best for heavy applications. If loads are too heavy, it could crush them, even if you use really strong materials like BS1400 PB1 phosphor bronze.
Roller bearings have a higher surface contact area because of the shape. This helps to spread out the load more effectively. As a result, they can support high loads. It makes them the best choice for heavy duty applications, ensuring a smaller chance of issues like bearing failure. You can get a longer operating life and lower maintenance.
Choosing
You need to think carefully about the criteria before you decide what type of bearing to use. Look at the type of load, capacity and speed. Generally this will give you a better idea of whether to choose ball or roller. Also, make sure you think of the operating conditions such as service time.
One thing you cannot forget is to think about precision. Ball bearings are more precise than roller. They tend to exhibit less deformation under loading.
Talk to us about BS1400 PB1 phosphor bronze
If you need to make bearings, especially for heavy duty applications, it is important to choose reliable materials. You want as much mechanical strength as you can get as well as other beneficial characteristics like high wear resistance.
BS1400 PB1 phosphor bronze is a fantastic choice here. It is reliable and easy to maintain. Most importantly, it can easily withstand heavy loads and high speeds. One thing to note though is it is dense and can be challenging to machine. As a result, you should always work with machinists that have the right tooling and experience with it.
If you want to order high quality bronze, especially for bearings, speak to us. Brindley Metals is one of the best suppliers in the UK. Our friendly service and professionalism have earned us a great reputation. We can even make arrangements for different kinds of machining.