Bearing Materials: Types, Properties, and Applications

Chrome Steel (52100, GCr15) High hardness, wear resistance, cost-effective, widely available Prone to rust and corrosion, requires lubrication Stainless Steel (440C, 304, 316, etc.) Corrosion-resistant, suitable for humid or marine environments Lower hardness and wear resistance than chrome steel, more expensive Carbon Steel Low-cost, easy to machine Low strength, poor wear resistance, short lifespan Tool Steel High strength, good toughness, wear-resistant Expensive, requires proper heat treatment Bronze Self-lubricating, good wear resistance, corrosion-resistant Softer than steel, not suitable for high-load applications Brass Corrosion-resistant, good machinability, lower friction Lower strength and wear resistance than bronze Babbitt Alloy (White Metal) Excellent conformability, good for high-speed applications, embeds debris well Soft material, not suitable for heavy loads Ceramic (Zirconia, Silicon Nitride, Alumina) High-speed capability, corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic, high-temperature resistance Expensive, brittle, difficult to manufacture Polymers/Plastics (PTFE, Nylon, PEEK, UHMWPE, etc.) Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, self-lubricating, quiet operation Low load capacity, can deform under high temperature or stress Carbon/Graphite Bearings Self-lubricating, can operate in extreme temperatures, chemical-resistant Brittle, lower strength than metal bearings