8 Common types of skf bearings and their advantages

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What are 8 common types of SKF Bearing

  1. Deep groove ball bearings
  1. Angular contact ball bearings
  1. Self-aligning ball bearings
  1. Cylindrical roller bearings
  1. Needle roller bearings
  1. Tapered roller bearings
  1. Spherical roller bearings
  1. Spherical roller thrust bearings
 
We will discuss every type of SKF bearing, including its benefits, manufacturing process, materials, and applications.
 

8 common types of SKF bearing

Deep groove ball bearings

deep groove ball bearings
The most popular type of bearing is the deep groove ball bearing.
 
It is extremely versatile and can handle both radial and axial loads.
 
It is easy to mount, requires little maintenance, and operates quietly and smoothly.
 
Advantages:
The ability to carry Radial and Axial Loads
 
The ability to handle radial and axial loads makes deep groove ball bearings a popular choice in many industries.
 
They can support up to half of their radial load in an axial plane, making them versatile and reliable.
 
Low Friction
 
Deep groove ball bearings offer several benefits over standard bearings.
 
They have lower friction, which can lead to cost savings due to decreased energy consumption.
 
Additionally, the bearings' operating temperatures are lower, resulting in an increased life expectancy.
 
This makes them a great choice for high-rotational applications that require less lubrication.
 
Overall, they are more efficient and require less maintenance than other bearing types.
 
 
It is easy to install
Deep groove ball bearings are a great choice for many different applications.
 
They are very easy to install and offer a greater load capacity than other types of bearings.
 
This makes them a popular choice for many manufacturers.
 
Because they reduce the size and weight of machinery's housings, these bearings result in lighter and more compact assemblies.
 
Deep groove ball bearings can also be used in traditional bearing houses, making it easier to replace worn-out bearings with newer ones.
 

Angular contact ball bearings

Angular contact ball bearings
Angular contact ball bearings are specially designed to support heavy axial loads in addition to radial loads.
 
The contact angle is a key factor in how well they perform this function.
 
As the angle increases, the bearings become better at handling axial loads, making them ideal for use in high-stress applications.
 
Advantages:
Angular contact ball bearings can bear radial loads and axial loads, making them a versatile choice for many applications.
 
Additionally, the larger contact angle typical of these bearings can result in higher axial load-carrying capacities.
 
Angular contact bearings are available in two varieties - one-row and two-row - to make contact with the ground.
 

Self-aligning ball bearings

Self-aligning ball bearings
There are two types of ball gears, each with its own unique benefits.
 
The first type of ball gear has two rows of self-aligning, ball bearings.
 
There is an inner ring with a common sphered groove and two deep, uninterrupted grooves for the raceway.
 
These bearings can be sealed or left open. They do not react to shaft misalignment relative to the housing.
 
Shaft deflection can cause this type of ball gear to become misaligned.
 
The second type of ball gear has a single row of self-aligning, ball bearings.
 
There is an inner ring with a common sphered groove and two deep, uninterrupted grooves for the raceway.
 
These bearings can be sealed or left open. They do not react to shaft misalignment relative to the housing.
 
Unlike the first type of ball gear, shaft deflection does not cause this type of ball gear to become misaligned.
 
Advantages:
Self-aligning ball gears are advantageous because they produce less friction than other types of gears, can run at higher speeds, and have a longer bearing life.
 
This makes them cooler and reduces the amount of heat generation, leading to shorter maintenance periods.

Cylindrical roller bearings

Cylindrical roller bearings
 
Cylindrical roller bearings are a great choice for many applications because they can withstand high speeds and heavy radial loads.
 
They are also very stiff and have low friction. There are two types of cylindrical roller bearings: sealed and split.
 
Sealed bearings protect the rollers from dirt, contaminants, water, and other harmful substances.
 
This reduces friction and extends the service life. Split bearings are easy to maintain and can be replaced easily.
 
Advantages:
  • Ball bearings can handle more radial load than roller bearings.
  • Roller bearings can be used at higher speeds with roller designs than other types.
  • The best diameters are those that are straight both inside and outside (they can also taper).
  • Bearings should be flush with the inside of the housing.
  • Ball and roller bearings are easy to install, which reduces the chance of damage during installation.
  • Ball and roller bearings are slimmer, lighter, and more space-saving than other bearing types.
  • 8. You can choose from a range of sizes and materials when using ball or roller bearings.
 

Needle roller bearings

Needle roller bearings
Needle roller bearings are unique in that they have cylindrical rollers, as opposed to the spherical rollers typically found in other bearing types.
 
This modified roller/raceway profile extends bearing service life and makes needle roller bearings suitable for many operating conditions and applications.
 
SKF offers a wide range of needle roller bearings in a variety of sizes and designs, so you can find the perfect bearing for your needs.
 
Advantages:
Needle roller bearings offer a number of advantages, including the ability to use mating surfaces in their inner or outer races or both.
 
Additionally, bearing load ratings are typically based on raceway hardness at 58 Rc or equivalent.
 
If the raceway hardness is lower, it will reduce the combination's capacity.
 

Tapered roller bearings

Tapered roller bearings
There are many options available when it comes to tapered roller bearings.
 
SKF offers a wide variety of bearings that can be customized to your specific load, speed, temperature, contamination, or vibration requirements.
 
Tapered roller bearings come with a cup and a cone.
 
The cone assembly comprises the cone, the outer ring, and the rollers.
 
This bearing design is capable of handling combined loads and has low friction.
 
You can make a rigid bearing application by placing a single-row tapered bearing against a tapered bearing and then applying a preload.
 
The Explorer class of SKF tapered roller bearings offers even more options for increased performance, reduced friction, and increased power density in specific applications.
 
With its advanced design, tribology, and metallurgy, along with lubrication, manufacturing, and lubrication expertise, SKF Explorer is the perfect choice for demanding applications.
 
Advantages:
  • Increased accuracy and speed
  • Increased load-carrying capacity
  • Reduced wear and tear on components
  • Extended component life
  • Reduced maintenance costs
 
 

Spherical roller bearings

Spherical roller bearings
Are you looking for a bearing that can handle heavy radial and axial loads while resisting shaft misalignment and deflections?
 
SKF spherical roller bearings are the ideal choice. With their high load-carrying capacity and ability to adjust for misalignment, they are perfect for applications where these issues are a concern.
 
In addition, they are low in maintenance and have a long service life.
 
This bearing type was created by SKF in 1919, and both sealed and open versions are available in our range.
 
We offer spherical roller bearings that can be used in many applications, including main shafts for wind turbines and continuous casters.
 
All applications, including vibration and high-speed, are included. Bearings with Solid Oil, split bearings, and SKF ConCentra rolling bearing units are also available.
 
We offer the SKF three-barrier solution for extreme operating conditions.
 
Advantages:
  • Our adjustment can help correct misalignment in your system.
  • It has a high load-carrying capacity, meaning it can bear a lot of weight without breaking.
  • This makes it a very robust component.
  • In addition, its long service life means that it will last for a while before needing to be replaced.
  • And because it consumes minimum lubricants, you'll save on maintenance expenses.
  • Finally, our pre-lubricated seal makes installation easy and eliminates the need for additional lubrication.
 

Spherical roller thrust bearings

Spherical roller thrust bearings
SKF spherical bearings have specially designed raceways that allow them to support both radial and axial loads.
 
The rollers that make up the bearing transfer load between the raceways at an angle to the bearing's axis, while the flange controls and guides the rollers.
 
Advantages:
  • High load-carrying capacity
  • Adjustment to correct misalignment
  • Separable design
  • High-speed capability
  • Long service life
  • Low friction
 
 

Materials used in SKF Bearings

These are the components of a typical rolling bearing.
  • an inner ring
  • An outer ring
  • Rolling elements: Rollers and balls
  • a cage
SKF offers a range of bearing types that can be capped with a seal or shield on one side or both.
 
Capping bearings on both sides can be done with factory-filled grease.
 
These greases are more space-saving than external sealing and can be used to cap bearings on both sides.
 
This helps to keep out dirt, dust, and other contaminants while also protecting the bearings from moisture.
 
Bearing rings
The rings that makeup bearings can become fatigued when the bearing is in use.
 
This happens because of the pressure at the contact zone and the cyclic rolling.
 
To withstand this fatigue, steel rings must be hardened.
 
100Cr6 is a type of steel that is commonly used to make bearing rings and washers because it is very versatile.
 
It contains approximately 1% carbon and 1,5% chrome. SKF bearings are made according to SKF specifications.
 
These specifications cover all aspects that are necessary for long-lasting bearing life.
 
SKF can use high-temperature steel or stainless steel, depending on the requirements.
 
Rolling elements 
The load is transferred between the inner and outer rings by the rolling elements.
 
Balls or rollers made from the same steel as the rings bear the load.
 
If necessary, rolling elements can be made of the material.
 
Hybrid bearings, which contain ceramic rolling elements, are becoming more popular.
 
Cages 
Primary functions serve a cage:
  • To reduce frictional heat in bearings, separate the rolling elements
  • For optimal load distribution, ensure that rolling elements are equally spaced.
  • The bearing's unloaded area should be used to guide the rolling elements
  • When one bearing ring is removed during mounting/dismounting, the rolling elements of separate bearings are retained
 
Radially centered cages can be either:
  • The rolling elements
  • The inner ring
  • The outer ring
Centering cages in the rings of a bearing help to keep lubricant in contact with the bearings, which can help to improve performance in high-speed or high-vibration situations, or when there is a lot of inertia force.
 
This can be done using either ring-centered cages or cage assemblies that are placed in the rings of the bearing.
 
Integral sealing
Sealing your bearings can help keep them clean and functioning for a longer period of time.
 
There are many different ways to seal SKF bearings, depending on your needs.
 
Shields
Bearings with shields are designed for use in areas with very clean operating conditions, or where low friction is required due to speed or high operating temperatures.
 
The small gap between the shield, inner ring, and shield helps to keep out contaminants and debris that could cause damage or reduce the performance of the bearing.
 
Seals
There are different types of bearing seals that can be used depending on the level of contamination.
 
Contact seals are good for moderate contamination, while bearings with shields are not as fast-sensing but can be accommodated by non-contact seals or low-friction seals.
 

The manufacturing process of SKF Bearings

 
SKF's Luton plant has been producing bearings since 1911.
 
 SKF bearings are still available at this location. How are they made?
 
The component pieces are already heat-treated and sent to suppliers around the world. 
 
Grinding the faces is the first step in making outer and inner rings. 
 
The outer ring faces must be ground to the outer diameter and sphere. 
 
The inner bore of the inner rings is smoothed. 
 
The outer ring raceway is ground until it has the desired surface characteristics. 
 
After cleaning the outer and inner rings, dust and debris are removed.
 
 Rollers, guide rings, and cages make up complete bearings. 
 
Bearing numbers are laser-etched. 
 
Luton also manufactures sealed bearings. Once they have been assembled, grease can be added to the bearings and seals can be installed. 
 
All bearings are subject to a rigorous inspection to ensure that they meet SKF standards. Before they are packed and shipped to customers, they are protected against corrosion.
 
 They are provided with the reliability, durability, and efficiency they have come to expect from SKF.
 

Applications of different types of SKF Bearings

 

Deep groove ball bearings

Deep groove ball bearings are the most common type of bearing.
 
They can be used in many industries.
 
They come in many sizes, variations, designs, and variants to suit many applications.
 
Here are some examples of deep groove ball bearings that could be used.
  • Generators and electric motors used for a variety of purposes
  • Agriculture, an important part of the industrial economy
  • Material handling is a critical function in many factories
  • Transmissions for powering industrial equipment
  • Food and beverages production
  • Industrial pumps for manufacturing processes
  • Industrial fans to keep factories cool and productive
  • Two- and three-wheelers for transportation in industrial settings
  • Cars and light trucks which are also used in industrial settings for transportation purposes
 

Angular contact ball bearings

These are just a few examples of how angular contact bearings can be used.
  • Industrial pumps
  • Industrial gearboxes
  • Renewable energy
  • Compressors
  • Generators and industrial electric engines
  • Trucks, trailers, and buses
  • Metals
 

Self-aligning ball bearings

These are just a few examples of self-aligning bearings that could be used.
  • Industrial fans
  • Agriculture
  • Material handling
  • Food and beverages
  • Pulp and paper
 

Cylindrical roller bearings

SKF cylindrical bearings can be used in many industrial applications. Some are vital.
  • They can be used in non-locating or locating positions in bearing arrangements.
  • Stationary gearboxes
  • Automotive gearboxes
  • Electric motors
  • Vibration motors
  • Wind turbines
  • Equipment for off-highway usage
  • Pumps and compressors
  • Material handling equipment
  • Textile machinery
  • Rail vehicles
  • Rolling mills
 

Needle roller bearings

These are just a few examples of how needle roller bearings can be used.
  • Universal joints
  • Gearbox layshafts
  • First motion shafts
  • Bearings for main shaft constant-mesh gear wheels
  • Small bearings to connect rods of heavy-duty, two-stroke design
 

Tapered roller bearings

  • Common uses for tapered roller bearings include:
  • Gearboxes
  • Equipment for lifting
  • Rolling mills
  • Machines for the mining sector
 

Spherical roller bearings

These are just a few examples of how spherical bearings can be used.
  • Wind energy
  • Mining, cement, and mineral processing
  • Material handling
  • Pulp and paper
  • Industrial transmission
  • Metals
  • Marine

Spherical roller thrust bearings

These are just a few examples of how spherical-roll thrust bearings can be used.
  • Industrial transmission
  • Metals
  • Pulp and paper
  • Industrial fans
  • Marine
  • Mining, cement, and mineral processing
 
 

Conclusion

The low-impact bearings mentioned above can also be downsized, which makes them a more efficient option.
 
Additionally, they consume less lubricant and energy.
 
This can be an important consideration when designing shaft systems, as every decision impacts performance in some way.
 
SKF is a major supplier of bearings and offers a wide variety of super-precision bearings.
 
These bearings are perfect for applications where precision is key.