Stainless steel flanged ball bearings have a solid steel flange on the outer ring. This allows for easier positioning of the bearing in the housing. The flange also helps prevent axial movement of the bearing when thrust loads are applied to the bearing. It is easier to maintain the position of flanged bearings in housings where there is a lot of vibration. Flanged bearings are sometimes used where the housing is made of a different material and may expand more than the bearing outer ring at higher temperatures. The resulting loose fit may allow non-flange bearings to move within the housing.
AUB Flange Stainless Steel Instrument Bearings are made of AISI 440C Stainless Steel. This grade of stainless steel has greater load capacity and better low noise qualities. It also has better corrosion resistance.
With stainless steel cages and suitable high temperature lubricants, these bearings can be used at a constant temperature of 250°C or at intermittent temperatures up to 300°C. Above these temperatures, the load-carrying capacity of stainless steel decreases.
Our flanged stainless steel inch bearings are suitable for use in mildly corrosive environments as steel is corrosion resistant but will be affected by seawater and strong acids or bases. Marine grade stainless steel bearings, plastic bearings or full ceramic bearings should be used in highly corrosive environments. The outer surface of stainless steel bearings does not require anti-corrosion oil, so it can be used without lubrication (dry type).
Most of these flanged stainless steel inch bearings are available as open or with AISI-304 stainless steel shrouds. The smallest size can only be opened. Larger sizes may have rubber or PTFE contacting seals or low friction non-contacting rubber seals. Open bearings are usually lubricated with oil. Shielded or sealed bearings are usually pre-lubricated with grease, but shielded bearings are also available with instrument oil for low torque applications, or completely dry bearings for very low speed applications requiring very low rotational resistance. Thanks to our in-house lubrication facilities, these bearings can be supplied with customer specified oil, grease or dry lubricant.
Standard cages or cages for stainless steel flanged miniature bearings are made of AISI-304 or AISI-420 stainless steel. One-piece crowned cages are more commonly used for very small and very thin section bearings due to space constraints. Larger sizes have a two-piece ribbon cage.
