Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Angular contact ball bearings are non-separable type bearings and typically used for carrying combined (axial and radial) loads. They can carry pure axial load and operate in higher speed. That's why many people refer to them incorrectly as thrust bearings.

Physical Characteristics

Angular contact ball bearings have raceways in the inner and outer rings that are displaced with respect to each other in the direction of the bearing axis.

Types of Angular Contact Ball Bearings

There are three basic types of angular contact ball bearings:
* Single Row Bearings
* Double Row Bearings
* Four Point Contact Ball Bearings

Single Row Angular Contact Ball Bearings:

Single row angular contact ball bearings can carry axial loads acting in one direction only. Under the radial loads the force acting in the axial direction needs to be countered. It is usually adjusted against the second bearing. These bearings have one high and one low shoulder on each ring allowing more number of balls to be incorporated.

Double Row Angular Contact Ball Bearings:

The design of double row angular contact ball bearings is similar to two single row angular contact ball bearings placed adjacent. The design is non separable type. The basic design does not have filling slots and can accommodate equal axial loads in both directions.

The ones with a larger outer diameter have filling slots in one direction and have a pressed steel or machined brass cage. Bearings with E design have high load carrying capacity. They also have filling slots on one side and that allows incorporating large number of balls.

They are also available with shields (non-rubbing type) and seals (low friction and rubbing type) on both sides. They are filled with lithium based grease that inhibits rust and can operate from temperatures -30° C to 110° C.

Four Point Contact Ball Bearings:

Four point contact ball bearings are single row having raceways that enable to accommodate axial loads in both directions. They need lesser axial space and a two part inner ring. This allows large number of balls to be incorporated and carry larger loads. The bearings are separable type. They are designed to accommodate axial loads and arranged as thrust bearings with radial clearance.