Much of the modern material we find common place today can find there origins in pioneering space technology the same can be said for many of the advanced ceramic materials used in bearings.
Ceramic bearings application.
As in most load bearing applications particularly those subjected to a tensile or hoop stress the inherent brittleness of ceramics is a major concern.
Silicon nitride bearings have found use in a myriad of applications including laptop smartphones modelism bicycles skate board and rollers.
Full ceramic bearing applications space and satellites.
Ceramic bearings offer many advantages over all steel bearings such as higher speed and acceleration capability increased stiffness lower.
The lightweight and vacuum compatible bearings make them ideal for satellites and spacecraft which require optimal weight capacities to enhance flight dynamics and acceleration.
They ceramic bearings do run with less friction which offers a significant advantage in industrial applications running at 20 000 rpm.
Hybrid bearings ceramic steel or chrome the following are the basic properties of hybrid bearings figure 3.
Catastrophic failure of ceramic bearings in vivo fig.
Ceramic bearings are typically constructed with a ferrous inner and outer ring or race with ceramic balls in the place of steel.