1.What are the design differences between radial and angular
contact ball bearings?
The main difference between radial ball bearings and angular
contact ball bearings is the retainer type: radial bearings include
a crown retainer whereas angular contact bearings include a full
retainer.
2. What are the benefits of radial and angular contact ball bearings?
Which design offers better performance and longer life?
Radial ball bearings are more convenient to use because they
may be installed and axially loaded from either side.
Angular contact ball bearings perform better at higher speeds
and operate longer, on average, than radial bearings. Angular contact
bearings can only be axially loaded from one side.
Keep in mind that bearing life can be significantly impacted by other
factors, like whether or not your customers follow appropriate maintenance
protocols, use a quality cleaner/lubricant, or avoid immersing
their handpieces in aggressive or corrosive cleaning chemicals.
3. What is the difference between a ball bearing manufactured with
a phenolic retainer and one manufactured with a Torlon® retainer?
Phenolic is a porous material that may be impregnated with oil
at the factory. During operation, a phenolic retainer provides continuous
bearing lubrication by releasing micro-droplets of oil contained within
its body.
Torlon is not porous and cannot be impregnated with oil.
However, it contains solid lubricating additives, like graphite and
Teflon®, which help to lubricate a dental bearing during conditions of
conventional-lube starvation. Torlon® handles autoclave sterilization
much better than phenolic, which has a tendency to develop micro-cracks
during repeated sterilization.
4. What is the advantage of using a hybrid ceramic ball bearing
which includes hardened steel rings and silicon nitride
(ceramic) balls, instead of a typical bearing with steel rings and
steel balls?
Ultimately, a hybrid ceramic ball bearing runs cooler and extends
bearing life.
A ceramic ball is approximately 60% lighter than the same size steel
ball. As a result, the lighter ceramic ball-set generates less centrifugal
force when operating at super-high speeds, which minimizes wear on
the raceway of the outer ring.
Surface wear is further reduced because ceramic and steel are such
different materials. Ceramic balls are harder than heat-treated steel
balls, so it’s less likely that external contaminants or bearing wear debris
will damage them and cause the bearing to fail. Also, a hybrid ceramic
bearing operates better than an all-steel ball bearing in low-lubrication
conditions.
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