How to Check for Quality in Bearings

Whenever you buy something, you make sure it is sturdy with all the said features working and make sure the quality of that item is top-notch. The same is the case with bearings. They need to be high quality in order to perform at their best. If the quality is not great, they will wear out fast and you’ll have to replace them quite often. This is not only expensive on the pocket but also decreases the efficiency of the machinery.

So, if you’re curious about what makes or breaks the bearing quality, you have landed in the perfect place. We will explain how to check for quality in bearings, levels of bearing quality, and how to choose the appropriate bearing for your specific project.

How to Check for Quality in Bearing?

Not every bearing is built the same way. That’s why some operate for years while others just wear off within a few months. So, you need to make sure that you are getting high-quality bearings when purchasing them. Here’s how to check for quality in bearings:

Material amp; Coating

Material is the number one thing that determines the quality of bearings. It is observed that the best quality bearings are composed of either stainless steel or chrome steel (52100). Both of these materials offer exceptional reliability and wear resistance.

Moreover, there are some bearings that have ceramic components as well, giving them additional features like resistance to heat.

Besides materials, the coating of the bearings is also important. Coatings like anti-corrosion plating or black oxide help bearings last much longer than the ones without these coatings, particularly in situations where there is a lot of friction and humidity. If the finishing of the bearings is not good and you feel the material is not good quality, refrain from buying them.

Visual Inspection

Do a visual inspection and look for defects that may tell you quite a bit about the bearing quality. See if there are any dents or scratches on the bearing’s surface. Check the edges and inspect them to see if they are smooth or not. Confirm the quality and type of seals used because if they are poor, it will affect the quality of the bearings.

Also, look for corrosion, rust, or any discoloration before buying. If any or some of these signs are present, the bearing is most probably not high quality.

Rotation Smoothness

This is a good way to check bearing quality. Rotate the bearing in your hand. If it spins smoothly without any hindrance, it shows good quality. If there is resistance in spinning or you hear a screeching noise during rotation, the bearing is not of good quality.

Vibration amp; Noise Testing

To check irregularities in bearing structures, manufacturers perform noise and vibration tests. So, if there is a chance and you have access to such testing equipment, check the irregularities. If the vibrations are minimal, it indicates the bearings are of high quality. Whereas, bearings that are not high quality produce greater noise and vibrations.

Quality of Seal amp; Shield

Bearings have seals and shields that protect them from all the environmental contaminants, including dust. So, if that shield or seal is of bad quality, it will allow all these contaminants to enter and cause premature damage. ?Two frequently used seals are sealed bearings (RS or 2RS) and shielded bearings (ZZ or 2Z).

The former is made of rubber seals and the latter has metallic ones. The difference between both is that sealed bearings are better protected from contaminants, whereas, the shielded ones are not that good at protecting against moisture.

Lubrication Quality

You already know the importance of lubrication for the efficiency and smooth working of bearings. However, if the bearings need high-quality grease for lubrication, it means they themselves are high quality and otherwise not.

Reputable Manufacturer

Connecting with a reputable manufacturer like BYWB Bearing?is important to make sure you are getting high-quality bearings. These manufacturers are very strict on following the rules and regulations and make sure the manufacturing is done under careful quality control. Ordinary manufacturers don’t bother following standards and hence deliver cheap quality bearings.

What are the Levels of Bearing Quality?

There are different grades of bearings based on their precision and tolerance level. The Annular Bearing Engineering Committee (ABEC) is the most common rating system. It ranges from ABEC-1 to ABEC-9. Apart from ABEC ratings, the acceptable tolerances are also regulated by JIS B 1514 and ISO 492.

Standard Bearings

These are the most basic commercial-grade bearings and are suitable for everyday applications without precision and reliability, such as general machinery and hand tools. They have looser tolerance with lower ratings of either ABEC-1 or ABEC-3. Their material is also standard steel instead of high-grade stainless steel. ?

Mid Grade Bearings

As the name indicates, these are mid-grade bearings and are more precise, reliable, and of better quality than the standard ones. They are good options for those who want a cost-effective bearing option that gives a certain precision level. These bearings are best for factory machinery, industrial equipment operating at moderate speeds, and automotive applications.

However, you cannot use them for aerospace applications and other high-precision machinery. They have a mid-range tolerance rating of either ABEC-3 or ABEC-5. Their lubrication and seals are also better than standard bearings. You can use them in electric motors, vehicles’ mechanical parts, and conveyor systems.

High Precision Bearings

Their tolerance level is much higher than the previous two bearings. They perform exceptionally well even under high stress, friction, speed, and load conditions. They are ideal for aerospace applications, motors operating at high speed, and medical devices. Moreover, they don’t produce much vibration and noise, making them perfect for laboratory tools and robotics industry.

However, you cannot use them for budget-friendly projects or those projects that don’t require a high precision level. These premium quality bearings are made of chrome steel and stainless steel, with some varieties also containing ceramic components. They offer smooth and precise operation to the machine components. Since they are premium quality, their ABEC rating is high, which is ABEC-7 and ABEC-9.

So, it’s clear that the higher the rating is, the more the accuracy and quality of the bearing. It’s important to note that not every application requires bearings of the highest rating. It is much more related to achieving the required precision that matches your needs.

Bearing ABEC Rating

Best For

Standard Bearing

ABEC-1 & ABEC-3

General household machinery

Mid Range Bearing

ABEC-3 & ABEC-5

Gearboxes, electric motors, conveyor systems

High Precision Bearings

ABEC-7 & ABEC-9

Aerospace applications, medical devices, lab tools

How to Choose the Right Bearing?

As mentioned earlier, selecting the right bearing is not only about picking the one with the highest grade rating or of the highest quality. It also depends on the application’s needs.

Understand Application’s Needs

Consider your application needs and working conditions, including load type, speed requirements, temperature conditions, and presence of contaminants and moisture. Some bearings carry axial loads better than radial, while others handle both simultaneously. Some bearings work well at low speeds, while others are operated at higher speeds. Sealed bearings are a better option in humid conditions than shielded ones.

It’s also important to match the level of bearing quality with the application. ABEC-1 and 3 are good for daily appliances, ABEC-3 and 5 are well suited for electric motors and gear boxes, whereas ABEC-7 adn 9 are ideal for those machines and equipment requiring high precision.

Material Selection

Material also affects the efficiency and durability of the bearings. Most of the bearings are composed of chrome steel as it provides greater resistance against wear and is very hard. Stainless steel bearings are a better choice for wet and humid conditions. On the other hand, ceramic bearings are used for extreme conditions.

Consider Features amp; Designs

It’s important to consider the types of bearings based on features and designs for efficient operation. Ball bearings tolerate low to medium loads at high speeds. Roller bearings handle heavier loads but don’t cater to high speeds. Tapered bearings are very efficient in handling both radial and axial loads. Lastly, sealed bearings don’t need regular lubrication compared to open bearings.

Long-Term Cost

Getting cheap bearings doesn’t benefit you in the long run. It may seem very good initially, but the bearings will fail sooner than expected. It makes you replace them more frequently. However, if you invest in good quality bearings, the downtime will decrease, and replacements will become less frequent.

Conclusion

Beaings are an integral part of different mechanical systems, and so is their quality. Choosing high-quality bearings not only ensures smoother and efficient operation but also decreases replacement costs. There are different ways to check the quality, including the ABEC rating, visual defects, rotational smoothness, vibration and noise production, and others.

Contact BYWB Bearing?for all types of bearings, as we are among the top bearing manufacturers in China. We deliver products all over the globe and available 24/7.

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