Last Updated on November 25, 2022 by mdmtool
Roller and ball bearings are both types of bearings used to support rotating shafts and reduce friction between moving parts. While roller bearings and ball bearings share some standard features, they also have several significant differences.
What Is A Roller Bearing?
A roller bearing is a bearing that uses cylindrical rollers to maintain the separation between the moving parts of the bearing. The purpose of a roller bearing is to reduce rotational friction and support radial loads. Roller bearings are used in various automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing applications.
Roller bearings are designed to support heavy loads and are often used in industrial applications such as conveyors and pumps. Roller bearings are available in various sizes and configurations, and they can be made from multiple materials, including steel, stainless steel, and brass.
What Is A Ball Bearing?
A ball bearing is a rolling-element bearing that uses balls to maintain the separation between the moving parts of the bearing. The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational friction and support radial and axial loads. It achieves this by using at least two races to contain the balls and transmit the loads through the balls.
Ball bearings are the most common type of bearing and are widely used in various applications. Ball bearings are available in standard and metric sizes and can be made from multiple materials, including steel, stainless steel, and brass.
Difference Between Ball Bearing And Roller Bearing
- Roller usage: The main difference between a ball bearing and a roller bearing is that the ball bearing uses balls to maintain the separation between the inner and outer races. In contrast, the roller bearing uses cylindrical or spherical rollers.
- Carrying load: Ball bearings can carry higher radial loads than roller bearings because the balls can rotate freely between the inner and outer races. On the other hand, roller bearings can have higher thrust loads since the rolling elements are in contact with the raceways at all times.
- Type of rolling: One key difference between roller bearings and ball bearings is the type of rolling element used. Roller bearings use cylindrical rollers, which are slightly longer than the diameter of the bearing. Ball bearings, on the other hand, use small metal balls.
- Contact to shaft: Another difference between roller bearings and ball bearings is how they contact the shaft that they are supporting. Roller bearings have line contact with the shaft, while ball bearings have point contact.
- Load: Roller bearings can support heavier loads than ball bearings due to their rolling element and the line contact with the shaft.
- Speed: Ball bearings can reach higher speeds than roller bearings due to their lower friction and point contact with the shaft.
Types Of Ball Bearings
There are three types of ball bearings: Angular contact, Deep groove, and Thrust.
- Angular contact: Angular contact ball bearings support radial and axial loads and can accommodate misalignment between the shaft and housing. They have higher load ratings than deep-groove ball bearings but are unsuitable for high-speed applications.
- Deep groove: The most common type of ball bearing, these are suitable for low to moderate speeds and can accommodate radial and thrust loads.
- Thrust: These bearings can handle only axial loads and must be used in pairs to distribute the load evenly. They are not suitable for high-speed applications.
Types Of Roller Bearings
There are three main types of roller bearings: cylindrical, spherical, and tapered.
- Cylindrical roller bearings are the most common type and are often used in heavy-duty industrial applications such as mining and construction.
- Spherical roller bearings are designed for high-speed applications,
- Tapered bearing is typically used in automotive and aerospace applications.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Ball Bearing
Advantages:
- They have low rolling resistance, which makes them energy efficient.
- They can operate at high speeds and have a long service life.
- They can carry heavy loads.
- They are exact, and their manufacturing is not very expensive.
Disadvantages:
- They are not suitable for high-load applications.
- Shock loads can damage them.
- They are unsuitable for applications with a lot of dirt or debris.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Roller Bearing
Advantages:
- They can carry heavy loads and have a long service life.
- They can operate at high speeds and are very precise.
- They have low rolling resistance, which makes them energy efficient.
- Their manufacturing is not very expensive.
Disadvantages:
- Shock loads can damage them.
- They are not suitable for applications where there is a lot of dirt or debris
FAQs
How does journal bearing differ from rolling bearings?
The journal bearings rely on lubricant film to help the load, while rolling-element bearings rely on rolling elements to support the load.
What is the difference between a ball bearing and a sleeve bearing?
Ball bearings are composed of an inner and outer ring, with balls between the two rings. The balls are what allow the direction to rotate smoothly. Sleeve bearings consist of a smooth inner surface with no Balls.
Conclusion
Roller bearings and ball bearings are both types of bearings. They are used to support rotating shafts and reduce friction between moving parts. Roller bearings use rolling elements, while ball bearings use balls.
