What are the materials of the bearing cage?

Jul 03, 2023

Choosing the appropriate material for the bearing cage is crucial for enhancing the performance and lifespan of the rolling bearing. The cage material must possess high mechanical strength, excellent wear resistance, impact load resistance, and reliable dimensional stability.

Bearing cages come in two types - stamped cages and solid cages. Stamped cages are typically used for small and medium bearings and are made from high-quality carbon structural steel strips or steel plates, such as 08 or 10 steel. Depending on the intended use, brass and stainless steel plates may also be used.

For large-size bearings and those produced in small batches, solid cages based on mechanical mechanisms are commonly used. These cages are made of materials such as brass, bronze, aluminum alloy, and structural carbon steel. On the other hand, cages for precision angular contact ball bearings are typically made from phenolic laminated cloth tubes.

Chinese engineers have made significant advancements by creating plastic cages using glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66 (GRPA66-25) as the primary material. These cages can withstand temperatures ranging from -30°C to +120°C and possess unique properties such as lightweight, low density, wear and corrosion resistance, good elasticity, excellent sliding properties, and easy injection molding. The manufacturing cost is also lower compared to traditional cages, making it a popular choice for various bearing cages.

FV metallurgical bearings are mostly used in high-speed, high-temperature, and high-load working conditions, so solid cages are mostly used, and the materials are steel, brass, etc.