
Ceramic ball bearings are industrial bearings in which the rolling elements are ceramic materials. They usually use a combined design of ceramic balls (hot-pressed silicon nitride Si₃N₄ or zirconium dioxide) and metal rings.
Ceramic ball bearings are industrial bearings in which the rolling elements are ceramic materials. They usually use a combined design of ceramic balls (hot-pressed silicon nitride Si₃N₄ or zirconium dioxide) and metal rings. Bearings are classified into two types: full ceramic bearings and hybrid ceramic bearings. The density of rolling elements is 40% of that of steel balls, the coefficient of thermal expansion is small, the maximum rotation speed is 1.5 times higher than that of conventional bearings. They have such characteristics as the ability to work without oil (self-lubricating), corrosion resistance, electrical insulation properties, and their service life is increased by 3–5 times. The ring materials include GCR15 bearing steel, stainless steel, etc. The rolling elements are mainly silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) and zirconium dioxide. Among them, silicon nitride, due to its high crack resistance, self-lubricating properties and resistance to electromagnetic interference, has become the preferred material for precision bearings. The products are used in high-speed machine tool spindles (up to 80,000 rpm), aircraft engines, electric vehicle motor bearings, wind turbines and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and are essential in corrosive environments and extreme temperatures.