The use of ball bearing is relevant to the movement of mechanical and equipment as it ensures that flow and movement are effective. They may be applied in motors, bicycles or even industrial proceeds in order to reduce friction within motion parts. But the one question that has so often been asked has been: are there any magnets in ball bearings? The same question is sometimes posed to the other ones such as steel ball bearings, carbon steel ball bearings and even chrome steel bearing balls. In the next blog we will address the magnets and magnetic properties of these bearings and how it affects its working.
How does it make a Material Magnetic?
Before going to the specifics of ball bearings, we must know what causes a material to become magnetic. Magnetic characteristics are determined by the atomic structure of a given material. Ferromagnetic, i.e. material that is capable of being magnetized, is iron, cobalt, nickel and others. Then, there are the non Magnetic materials; copper, aluminum and plastic just to mention a few because they do not consist of the atomic structure of a magnetic field.
Are Steel Ball bearings Magnetic?
Machinery ball bearings are powerful and strong and are being extensively used in the machineries. But are steel ball bearings magnetic? The answer to this can be given based on the nature of the steel. The most common materials in most steel ball bearings are high-carbon steel or chrome steel (both of which include iron). In theory, steel ball bearings can be magnetic as it contains iron which is a ferromagnetic substance. Not all steel is magnetic, and the magnetism of steel ball-bearings depends upon the way it is made, and upon the make-up of the alloy.
High performance bearing steels like AISI 52100 bearing steels are alloys of iron and a very minor portion of other elements like chromium and carbon. The concerned steels are typically magnetic due to iron. However, the magnetism may not be strong enough to affect the bearing efficiency of most of the industrial applications.
Are Carbon Steel Ball Bearings Magnetic?
It is also used in carbon steel balls bearing where wear and corrosion resistance and durability are needed. Just like the standard steel ball bearings, the carbon steel is produced with a lot of iron in it and this means that they can be magnetized too. Global metabolic efficiency of U-235 or CsCs 11 silicon hydrated ball bearings The magnetism in carbon steel ball bearings is generally feeble, but can still be detected in some cases.
Even the magnetic properties of carbon steel bearings can be affected by the amount of carbon. Bearings with high carbon content are more difficult to wear but the higher the carbon content the more likely they are to be slightly magnetic. Carbon steel ball bearings are used extensively in most mechanical, where there is no serious concern that they are magnetic.
Are Chrome Steel Bearing Balls Magnetic?
Chrome steel bearing balls do wonders that no one can do as hard and corrosive. Bearing balls of this type have a hardness of AISI 52100 made of this steel and alloyed with the chromium, thereby making them durable. This implies that, chrome steel bearing balls are magnetic since the chromium steel alloys are ferromagnetic since they include iron.
However, like carbon steel, and all other steel-based alloys, the magnetism of chrome steel bearing balls might not be of great use in the everyday practice. They are magnetic, but the overall magnetism does not matter such that they will not normally impact on the performance of most applications unless where non magnetic bushings must be used.
Why the Magnetism of Bearings Matters
In most applications the magnetic properties of ball bearings are of no real concern. However, they can be impacted where magnetism exists within other industries. A good example to illustrate this point is that powerful magnetic fields can disrupt the functionality of the device e.g in electrical motors or other delicate machines. One of the ways in which this could be done is by utilizing alternative materials like ceramic or stainless steel in order to eliminate potential issues in this scenario.
On the contrary, where the magnetic fields are an advantage (ie: in a motor or generator), then a low magneticity of the steel or chrome steel ball bearings might be desirable, since it will contribute to the total mechanical efficiency of the equipment.
What Are the Alternatives to Magnetic Ball Bearings?
You might need non-magnetic ball bearings in case you need to pull at the magnetism in your application. Such cases are commonly used in ceramic ball bearings. Ceramic bearings, made of zirconia or silicon nitride, are incredibly resistant to wear and corrosion; they are non-magnetic as well. Another possible solution is that of a non magnetic solution with stainless steel bearings (particularly austenitic stainless steel), still a very good performing bearing.
They can sometimes be more expensive than ordinary steel bearings, but they are the correct solution when misfortune may arise due to their application in malefic magnetism.
How Does Magnetism Work in Ball Bearings?
The magnetic properties of the ball bearings largely rely on the combination of materials used. Steel, carbon steel and chrome steel ball bearings can be magnetic due to the amount of iron found but the level of magnetization is usually weak. Though this is not an issue in very many applications, industries with sensitive equipment may employ non-magnetic materials such as ceramic and austenitic stainless steel bearings. The bearing of knowing something about the magnetic properties of bearing ball, and the bearing of knowing something about the implications of that bearing, cannot be eminent after settling what bearing is best adapted to your requirements.
We also stock numerous types of high quality ball bearings at the Bearmax USA that can be used in various industries. We possess the solutions in case you require magnetic bearings or non-magnetic bearing that gives smooth and efficient operations. Get in touch with us to learn further about how our bearings will help improve how your equipment performs.
