Bearings
Bearing steel
The most commonly used type of steel for bearings is chrome steel. This consists of 1% carbon and 1.5% chromium. It is also called vacuum degassed steel. This steel has many advantages such as purity and fatigue resistance. At the same time, it has good curing and heat treating capabilities.
Standard open bearings have a temperature range of -40°C to +120°C. Sealed bearings from -30°C to +110°C. For higher or lower temperatures, other greases or bearings that have been provided with a heat treatment are required.
Cage materials
Cage materials are: pressed steel cage, a brass plate, solid brass cage and cages made of plastic material such as polyamide 6. The plastic material is characterized by a good combination of strength and elasticity.
The main task of the cage is to keep the rolling elements at a mutual distance and to avoid direct contact between two adjacent rolling elements. This keeps friction and heat development to a minimum. For dismountable bearings, the cage ensures that the rolling elements are held together when a ring is removed from the bearing during assembly or disassembly.