Flanged Ball Bearings

Beyond applications with high axial loads, flanged bearings are optimal for areas in which there are high amounts of vibration. Because of this, flanged ball bearings are widely used in automobiles and vehicles due to constant vibration and high temperatures that they exert upon components. As high temperatures may melt adhesives and damage the integrity of the bearing mounting, utilizing flanged ball bearings is recommended to guarantee long service life and durability. To further establish secure mounting, some ball bearings may also be assembled alongside a retaining clip. Other than automobiles, flanged ball bearings are very beneficial for HVAC, conveyors, belt drives, material handling applications, and more.
 
Depending on the application, there are a number of ball bearing types that may be used. Angular contact ball bearings are those that feature axially asymmetric races, such that axial loads pass straight through the bearing and radial loads take an oblique path. As aircraft bearings, the angular contact ball bearing is placed within turbines and jet engines to help bear centrifugal forces. To aid in the bearing of such forces, silicon nitride ceramics are used to reduce centrifugal forces and withstand the extreme temperatures that the bearings are subject to.
 
Thrust ball bearings are another type used in aircraft which consist of two bearing discs, each with raceways. Depending on the shape of the outer ring seat, the thrust ball bearing may either be categorized as a flat seat or aligning seat. Thrust ball bearings are designed to help support axial loads, but they are unable to support radial loads. Thrust ball bearings may be obtained in either single direction and double direction, and flanging of the bearing aids in placement to maintain proper alignment and long service life. Often, thrust ball bearings may be manufactured from steel to have great durability and life.
 
Whether serving as vehicle components or aircraft bearings, flanged ball bearings are a useful component for an assembly to support loads and reduce friction. With flanging, the ball bearing can be situated much easier to avoid misalignment, and the flange may provide a secure fit so that the bearing won’t easily be removed or damaged by the high vibration and temperatures that they are exposed to in automobiles and aircraft applications. Flanged ball bearings can sometimes be an expensive but worthwhile investment, thus discussing with a design engineer to find which type is best fit for your application is highly recommended to make a well informed decision.