Common bearing types
| Type | Radial | Thrust | RPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep-groove ball | ✓ | Moderate | High | Most common — fans, motors, skateboards |
| Angular contact ball | ✓ | ✓ (axial) | High | Spindles, machine tools (pair them) |
| Self-aligning ball | ✓ | Low | Medium | Tolerates shaft misalignment |
| Cylindrical roller | Heavy | Low | Medium | Machine-tool spindles |
| Tapered roller | ✓ | ✓ | Medium | Car wheel hubs; handles combined loads |
| Needle roller | Heavy | ✗ | Medium | Compact; often gearbox or U-joint |
| Spherical roller | Heavy | ✓ | Low | Heavy industrial, shock loads |
| Thrust ball | ✗ | ✓ (one way) | Medium | Rotary tables, low-load axial |
| Tapered thrust | ✗ | ✓ (heavy) | Low | Heavy axial — crane slew bearings |
| Plain / sleeve / bushing | ✓ | With flange | Medium | Simple, low RPM, lubrication needed |
| Magnetic | ✓ | ✓ | Very high | No contact, needs control system |
| Ceramic hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | Ultra-high | Low friction, non-magnetic, expensive |
Selection tips
- Combined radial + axial: tapered roller or angular contact.
- Light, fast, no misalignment: deep-groove ball.
- Tight space, radial only: needle.
- Shaft wobble / misalignment: self-aligning ball or spherical roller.
- Cleanable / food / medical: sealed stainless.
Load life formula
| L10 (hours) | = (10⁶ / 60N) · (C / P)^p |
|---|---|
| C | Dynamic load rating (N) |
| P | Equivalent applied load |
| p | 3 (ball), 10/3 (roller) |
| N | RPM |
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