Shop By Type
What are the different types of balls, bearings, and bushings?
Ball Bearings
Ball bearings, sometimes referred to as conrad bearings, are a multi‑component machine element that allows relative motion between adjoining parts or surfaces. A ball bearing assembly consists of precision balls that act as a rolling element secured by a cage between two cones known as races. One race is held stationary while the other spins allowing for relative motion to take place.
- Provides higher load capacities than plain bearings
- Sealed ball bearings do not require regular grease or oil maintenance
- Offered in a range of Imperial and Metric sizes
Bronze Stock
Bronze stock comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Bronze stock is strong, yet light and easily malleable when compared to ferrous metals such as carbon steel. It can be used to craft components for prototypes and other custom applications. Common uses include bearings, bushings, gears, valves, fittings, seats, and more!
- Available in a wide range of Imperial sizes
- Offered in solid, rectangle bars
- Higher corrosion resistance than plain steel alloys
Flange Bearings
Flange bearings, or flange bushings, are a bronze sintered, oil impregnated bushing featuring a flange that is designed to support a load. Flange bushings are used at lower speeds and lighter loads while still allowing the mating shaft to slide freely within the bushing. Flange bearings are often used in agriculture, aircraft, and automotive applications as well as in appliances, machine tools, and hydraulics.
- Allows shaft assembly to slide freely within bearing
- Available in Metric and Imperial sizes
- Does not require regular grease or oil maintenance
- Flange provides a load bearing surface for other components
Precision Balls
- Surface roughness may be as smooth as .000008" Arithmetic Average
- Ideal for demanding industrial applications
- In stock availability for a wide range of chrome steel balls and stainless steel balls
Sleeve Bearings
Sleeve bearings, or sleeve bushings, are a bronze sintered bushing often impregnated with oil, such as SAE 300. Typically used to handle radial loads, the sleeve design allows the shaft to spin freely in the bushing. Sleeve bearings are often used in agriculture, aircraft, and automotive applications as well as in appliances, machine tools, and hydraulics.
- Allows shaft assembly to slide freely within bearing
- Available in a wide range of Imperial sizes
- Does not require regular grease or oil maintenance
Thrust Washers
- Designed for high wear applications
- Vacuum impregnated with oil for increased durability and sealing
- Provide a smooth durable surface suitable for ball and needle bearings
- Offered in a wide range of sizes to accommodate a variety of applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of bearings?
Bearings are machine elements that allow relative movement between adjoining parts or surfaces. The movements can be linear, rotational, or a combination of the two. Bearings are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and types. However, they can typically be classified into two categories: anti‑friction bearings and plain bearings.
Anti‑friction bearings
encompass ball bearing and roller bearing types. These are a multi‑component assembly typically consisting of precision balls or a cylindrical rolling element retained by a cage between two hardened steel races.
Ball bearings are often the most used anti‑friction bearings due to their versatility in a wide range of applications.
Plain bearings
, often referred to as bushings, are the simplest type of bearing, consisting of only a bearing surface and no rolling elements. Plain bearings include
sleeve,
flange, and
machine bushings as well as
thrust washers. They are often made of a porous, non‑ferrous metal that can be impregnated with a lubricant. This allows for a durable, cost‑effective, low maintenance solution for sliding, rotating, oscillating or reciprocating applications.
Can ball bearings take an axial load?
Most
ball bearings are not designed for axial loads as they are primarily designed to take significant radial loads. However, deep grooved ball bearings are considered suitable for moderate axial loads in addition to moderately heavy radial loads. Shallow groove ball bearings are ideal for handling radial loads but are not suitable for axial loads. Be sure to validate the load rating of the ball bearing if your application is subject to an axial load.
What can ball bearings be used for?
Ball bearings are an extremely versatile and economical bearing. They are used in a wide range of applications ranging from aircraft and automotive, to household furniture and appliances. They are ideal for applications subject to radial loads.
What are precision balls?
Precision balls, also referred to as loose ball bearings, are precision ground spheres used as a rolling element in ball bearing assemblies. The surface is finely finished and through hardened to handle high load capacities.
Where to buy loose ball bearings:
Loose ball bearings, or precision balls, can be purchased
online or by phone from Huyett. We have a wide range of stainless and chrome steel loose bearings in stock. Carbon steel, brass, and Buna‑N precision balls are also available as special orders. If you don't find what you're looking for or have a custom application, contact us to speak with our knowledgeable and friendly Sales team.
What are sleeve bushings?
Sleeve bushings, sometimes called sleeve bearings, are a metal bushing often impregnated with oil such as SAE 30. Typically used to handle radial loads, the sleeve design allows the shaft to spin freely in the bushing. Sleeve bearings are often used in agriculture, aircraft, and automotive applications as well as in appliances, machine tools, and hydraulics.
What are flange bushings?
Flange bushings, sometimes called flange bearings, are a metal bushing often impregnated with oil and feature a flange that is designed to support a load. Flange bushings are used at lower speeds and lighter loads while still allowing the mating shaft to slide freely within the bushing. Flange bearings are often used in agriculture, aircraft, and automotive applications as well as in appliances, machine tools, and hydraulics.
What is a thrust washer?
Thrust washers, also known as rotary thrust washers or thrust bearings, are a thin, flat, washer shaped component often made of cast bronze. Commonly used in rotating assemblies, thrust washers support axial loads and are instrumental in keeping components aligned along a shaft. The flat surface of the washer ensures that loads are evenly distributed across the part.
How do thrust washers work?
Thrust washers are possibly the simplest form of bearings. They are positioned between a rotating component and a stationary component. This positioning allows the rotating component to push up against the thrust washer as it moves sideways. Thrust washers are also crafted from alloys such as copper to provide increased lubricity allowing moving elements to slide against the washer face.
What are thrust washers used for?
Specifically, thrust washers are used in any application where a need for a durable wear surface with a rotating element exists. Shaft assemblies are the most common applications for thrust washers. As force is applied to the shaft assembly, axial pressure is placed onto the thrust washer. Thrust washers are used in power take‑offs, transmissions, pumps, and watercraft props.
What is the difference between a thrust washer and a flat washer?
Thrust washers and flat washers, while similar in shape, provide two separate functions.
Flat washers are a general fastener used to disperse a load when used in tandem with a conventional threaded fastener such as a bolt or screw. Flat washers can be crafted from a variety of materials ranging from nylon to carbon or stainless steel.
Thrust washers, or thrust bearings, are often manufactured from bronze and impregnated with oil to promote lubricity. The thrust wash keeps rotating components aligned on shafts and restricts axial movement.
Flat washers are a general fastener used to disperse a load when used in tandem with a conventional threaded fastener such as a bolt or screw. Flat washers can be crafted from a variety of materials ranging from nylon to carbon or stainless steel.
Thrust washers, or thrust bearings, are often manufactured from bronze and impregnated with oil to promote lubricity. The thrust wash keeps rotating components aligned on shafts and restricts axial movement.
What are machine bushings?
Machine, or machinery, bushings are precision washers designed for use as quick, accurate spacing on shafts. The carbon steel makeup provides high durability while reducing wear and marring between moving parts. Machine bushings are available in wide and narrow rim types for applications that require bushings with wide or narrow faces.
What is the difference between a machine bushing and a thrust washer?
At first glance, machine bushings and thrust washers appear to be similar in design. However, the primary purpose of the two differs.
Machine bushings are a washer shaped disc designed to act as a spacer on shafts. They are often made from carbon steel and do not provide as much lubricity against moving parts as compared to thrust washers.
Thrust washers, also a washer shaped disc, are designed to take the axial load from moving parts. They are commonly made of bronze or other non‑ferrous metals and are often impregnated with oil, providing a durable surface for moving components to slide against.
Machine bushings are a washer shaped disc designed to act as a spacer on shafts. They are often made from carbon steel and do not provide as much lubricity against moving parts as compared to thrust washers.
Thrust washers, also a washer shaped disc, are designed to take the axial load from moving parts. They are commonly made of bronze or other non‑ferrous metals and are often impregnated with oil, providing a durable surface for moving components to slide against.
