How to properly select thrust bearings

Thrust bearings are made up of two thrust shims (a shaft piece and a seat piece) and a number of rolling elements. The rolling elements are usually assembled from iron or bronze cages. The most common type is the steel ball type thrust bearing, which has a structure that includes a seat ring, a shaft ring and a steel ball cage assembly type.

Understanding the importance of thrust bearings in industrial machinery

In industrial machinery, many mechanical components work in conjunction with each other to ensure that equipment runs smoothly and efficiently. Thrust bearings are one of these important parts, and although they are often overlooked, they are very important and key to good equipment operation. Thrust bearings are components subjected to the axial thrust of a machine. They stop wear and tear and ensure that everything works properly.

Why are thrust bearings important in industrial machinery?

Looking at the diagram on the right, you should also be able to tell what thrust bearings are, so let’s discuss how the quality of thrust bearings affects industrial machinery and why you should buy quality thrust bearings. The consequences of poor-quality thrust bearings can be severe and can lead to a variety of problems:

Increased wear and tear on machinery: If thrust bearings are of poor quality, they can lead to premature and excessive wear and tear on the surrounding components. This wear can affect other parts of the machine.

Reduced efficiency of machinery: When thrust bearings are in constant need of repair, this can significantly reduce efficiency.

Potential Safety Hazard: When a thrust bearing fails, debris can come flying out, posing a danger to operators and staff.

Therefore, we should purchase high-quality thrust bearings.

Types of Thrust Bearings.

Ball bearings are one of the most common types used to support linear forces. A thrust ball bearing consists of an inner ring and an outer ring with a set of balls or rollers that can rotate in the bearing space to transmit loads in the axial direction. Thrust ball bearings are characterized by high precision, low friction, and low vibration, making them suitable for use in industrial machinery, automotive components, and aerospace equipment.

An axial ball bearing consists of an inner and outer ring and a set of balls or rollers that rotate within the bearing. These balls are usually made of steel or ceramic and have a round shape, which helps them rotate smoothly and reduce vibration.
Single-row thrust ball bearings consist of an inner ring, an outer ring, and a set of balls that rotate inside the bearing.
Double-row thrust ball bearings have two sets of balls or rollers on either side of the bearing, which improves the bearing’s load-bearing capacity and working performance.

The working performance of thrust ball bearings is so good that they are widely used in a variety of different fields. You can find them in a variety of places, such as industrial machinery (e.g., pumps, compressors, gearboxes, and conveyor systems), automobiles (e.g., engine mounts and transmission components), and airplanes (e.g., aircraft landing gear and rocket propulsion systems),

A roller thrust bearing is made up of two rings, an inner ring and an outer ring, and a set of rollers (circular posts). The rollers can rotate within the bearing space, meaning they can withstand linear forces. They are usually made of steel or ceramic and are cylindrical to make sure they rotate smoothly and do not vibrate too much.

Thrust roller bearings are used in a wide variety of heavy-duty applications such as machinery and industrial machinery. Spherical roller thrust bearings are different from other types of thrust bearings because they are very precise, have low friction, and can withstand greater weight.

Spherical roller thrust bearings consist of an inner ring and an outer ring with a set of spherical rollers that rotate inside the bearing. The balls are usually made of steel and have a smooth surface to ensure minimal friction and wear on other components.

There are two main types of spherical roller thrust bearings: open and sealed. Open-type spherical roller thrust bearings have exposed bearing space and are generally used in less demanding machinery for ease of maintenance and inspection. Sealed thrust spherical roller bearings have a closed bearing space, which prevents some dust and debris from entering the bearing and affecting its operation.

Spherical roller thrust bearings are widely used in many industries such as aerospace equipment, automotive parts, and industrial machinery, construction, mining, and energy.

Hybrid Thrust Bearings: In recent years, hybrid thrust bearings have become increasingly popular due to their unique advantages. Hybrid thrust bearings combine the advantages of different types of bearings such as ball bearings and roller bearings.

Hybrid ball-roller thrust bearings are characterized by having both balls and rollers in the same bearing space. This design increases load carrying capacity, reduces vibration and improves accuracy compared to conventional single type bearings.

Common Thrust Bearings.

How to distinguish the quality of a bearing?

Mainly look at the bearing capacity, noise, rotation stability, and service life of these four indicators.
Bearing with good bearing capacity is not afraid of crushing and is not easy to deform. It can withstand a greater load and ensure the normal operation of the machine. Generally, the bigger the load, the better.
High-quality bearings are also noisy when working, but the noise is relatively small. Excessive noise means that the operation is not very good, and the friction is relatively large.
High-quality bearings are relatively stable during operation and do not shake.
The quality-bearing life is longer than the service life.