Product Description
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, precision and efficiency are paramount. Machine tool spindles play a crucial role in ensuring these qualities are met, and the choice of bearing balls significantly impacts their performance. Enter silicon nitride bearing balls, a high-performance solution that revolutionizes how machine tool spindles operate at high speeds. This article delves into the advantages of silicon nitride bearing balls, exploring their unique properties and applications in various industries.
Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is a ceramic material known for its exceptional hardness, lightweight nature, and resistance to heat and corrosion. These properties make silicon nitride an ideal material for manufacturing bearing balls used in high-speed CNC machine tool spindles. Unlike traditional steel bearing balls, silicon nitride balls offer superior performance, longevity, and reliability, making them a preferred choice in demanding applications.
Silicon nitride bearing balls outperform traditional steel balls due to their tailored material properties and finishing. They are 58% lighter and 121% harder than steel alloys, which results in decreased friction and reduced wear. This means that machine tool spindles can operate at higher speeds with minimal lubrication, leading to lower operating costs and extended service life.
One of the standout features of silicon nitride is its low thermal expansion—76% lower than steel—which ensures stability and precision in high-temperature environments. Additionally, silicon nitride balls are electrically resistant, making them suitable for applications where electrical insulation is necessary, such as electric motor shaft bearings.
Silicon nitride's corrosion-resistant properties allow it to function effectively in harsh environments, including those with high operating temperatures or corrosive elements. This durability translates to longer part life and higher reliability in industrial applications.
Silicon nitride bearing balls are used across various industries, each benefiting from their unique properties:
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Aerospace: In aerospace applications, silicon nitride balls are used in satellites, jet engines, and wing flap ball screw actuators. Their lightweight nature and resistance to extreme temperatures make them ideal for such demanding environments.
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Automotive: Electric vehicle traction motor shaft bearings and fuel injection systems benefit from the electrical insulation and reduced friction provided by silicon nitride balls.
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Medical: Dental drills utilize silicon nitride micro-bearings due to their precision and durability.
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Renewable Energy: Wind turbine engines rely on silicon nitride balls for their corrosion resistance and long service life.
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Industrial: Machine tools spindles are a primary application, where high-speed performance and reduced maintenance costs are crucial.
Research has shown that the temperature rise in silicon nitride ball bearings is significantly lower than in steel ball bearings, especially at high speeds. This is due to the reduction of gyroscopic moments and centrifugal forces acting on the balls, thanks to the low density of silicon nitride. As a result, silicon nitride bearings experience 30 to 50 percent less frictional loss, even with low-cost lubrication methods like grease or oil-air.
The choice of bearing balls can dramatically affect machine tool spindle performance. Silicon nitride balls offer several advantages over traditional steel balls:
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Longer Service Life: The reduced friction and wear result in extended service life, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
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High-Speed Capability: Silicon nitride balls allow spindles to operate at higher speeds with greater precision.
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Reduced Operating Costs: The need for less lubrication and maintenance translates to lower overall operating costs.
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Versatility: Suitable for various applications, from aerospace to industrial, silicon nitride balls are adaptable to multiple environments.
| Property | Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) | Steel (440C) | Zirconia (ZrO2) | Alumina (Al2O3) |
| Density (g/cm³) | 3.2 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 3.9 |
| Hardness (HV) | 1,400–1,600 | 700–900 | 1,200–1,300 | 1,500–1,800 |
| Fracture Toughness (MPa·m½) | 6–7 | 15–20 | 7–10 | 3–4 |
| Compressive Strength (GPa) | 2.5–3.5 | 2.0–2.5 | 2.0–2.3 | 2.0–3.0 |
●Description:
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Ball is the most ideal bearing ball for bearing applications, due to the excellent properties of silicon nitride ceramics, it has many irreplaceable advantages comparing to traditional steel materials, such as: high mechanical strength, low wear loss, good self-lubrication, low density, high corrosion resistance, good electrical insulation etc.
Therefore, Silicon Nitride Balls are mostly used for some harsh working conditions: high speed/super speed bearings, high precision bearings, bearings in vacuum, high/low temperature bearings.
Moreover, Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls can also used as valve ball or measurement balls in chemical pumps/high temperature pumps/metdering pumps.
●Physical Properties:
| Chemical Composition: | Si3N4≥95% |
| Bulk Density: | 3.2±0.05g/cm3 |
| Elastic Modulus: | 350GPa |
| Hardness Vickers: | 1870HV |
| Bending Strength: | 780MPa |
| Fracture Toughness: | 7.2MPa·m1/2 |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient: | 3.2 10-6/K |
| Thermal Conductivity: | 25W/(m·K) |
● Ball Sizes/Grade :
| Size (mm) | Φ0.8-180 |
| Grade | Vdws | SPH | Vdwl | Ra |
| G3 | 0.05-0.08 | ≤0.08 | <0.13 | 0.01 |
| G5 | 0.08-0.13 | ≤0.13 | <0.25 | 0.014 |
| G10 | 0.15-0.25 | ≤0.25 | <0.5 | 0.02 |
| G16 | 0.2-0.4 | ≤0.4 | <0.8 | <0.025 |
| G20 | 0.3-0.5 | ≤0.5 | <1 | <0.032 |
| G100 | 0.4-0.7 | 0.4-0.7 | <1.4 | <0.0105 |
Factory equipment
Exhibition & Partner
Case
Ship to South Korea
Ship to Spain
FAQ
1. What sizes and tolerances are available?
-
Diameter range: 0.5mm to 50mm (custom sizes possible).
-
Sphericity: As low as 0.1µm (Grade 5 for ultra-precision bearings).
-
Surface finish: Ra < 0.02µm (mirror polish for low friction).
2. Are silicon nitride balls FDA-approved for medical use?
Yes! Si3N4 is biocompatible (ISO 6474-1) and used in spinal implants, dental devices, and joint replacements due to its antibacterial properties.
3. How do I choose the right Si3N4 balls for my application?
Consider:
-
Load & speed requirements (dynamic/static stress).
-
Temperature range (Si3N4 excels in high heat).
-
Chemical exposure (resistant to most acids/alkalis).
-
Electrical insulation needs (non-conductive).
| Property | Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) | Steel (440C) | Zirconia (ZrO2) | Alumina (Al2O3) |
| Density (g/cm³) | 3.2 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 3.9 |
| Hardness (HV) | 1,400–1,600 | 700–900 | 1,200–1,300 | 1,500–1,800 |
| Fracture Toughness (MPa·m½) | 6–7 | 15–20 | 7–10 | 3–4 |
| Compressive Strength (GPa) | 2.5–3.5 | 2.0–2.5 | 2.0–2.3 | 2.0–3.0 |
●Description:
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Ball is the most ideal bearing ball for bearing applications, due to the excellent properties of silicon nitride ceramics, it has many irreplaceable advantages comparing to traditional steel materials, such as: high mechanical strength, low wear loss, good self-lubrication, low density, high corrosion resistance, good electrical insulation etc.
Therefore, Silicon Nitride Balls are mostly used for some harsh working conditions: high speed/super speed bearings, high precision bearings, bearings in vacuum, high/low temperature bearings.
Moreover, Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls can also used as valve ball or measurement balls in chemical pumps/high temperature pumps/metdering pumps.
●Physical Properties:
| Chemical Composition: | Si3N4≥95% |
| Bulk Density: | 3.2±0.05g/cm3 |
| Elastic Modulus: | 350GPa |
| Hardness Vickers: | 1870HV |
| Bending Strength: | 780MPa |
| Fracture Toughness: | 7.2MPa·m1/2 |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient: | 3.2 10-6/K |
| Thermal Conductivity: | 25W/(m·K) |
● Ball Sizes/Grade :
| Size (mm) | Φ0.8-180 |
| Grade | Vdws | SPH | Vdwl | Ra |
| G3 | 0.05-0.08 | ≤0.08 | <0.13 | 0.01 |
| G5 | 0.08-0.13 | ≤0.13 | <0.25 | 0.014 |
| G10 | 0.15-0.25 | ≤0.25 | <0.5 | 0.02 |
| G16 | 0.2-0.4 | ≤0.4 | <0.8 | <0.025 |
| G20 | 0.3-0.5 | ≤0.5 | <1 | <0.032 |
| G100 | 0.4-0.7 | 0.4-0.7 | <1.4 | <0.0105 |
Factory equipment
Exhibition & Partner
Case
Ship to South Korea
Ship to Spain
FAQ
1. What sizes and tolerances are available?
-
Diameter range: 0.5mm to 50mm (custom sizes possible).
-
Sphericity: As low as 0.1µm (Grade 5 for ultra-precision bearings).
-
Surface finish: Ra < 0.02µm (mirror polish for low friction).
2. Are silicon nitride balls FDA-approved for medical use?
Yes! Si3N4 is biocompatible (ISO 6474-1) and used in spinal implants, dental devices, and joint replacements due to its antibacterial properties.
3. How do I choose the right Si3N4 balls for my application?
Consider:
-
Load & speed requirements (dynamic/static stress).
-
Temperature range (Si3N4 excels in high heat).
-
Chemical exposure (resistant to most acids/alkalis).
-
Electrical insulation needs (non-conductive).
