Ceramic hybrid bearings have been around for quite some time now, but there are still those out there who are on the fence about making the switch from steel to ceramic. It could be that all they’ve ever used in their industrial motors is steel ball bearings, so that’s what they’re used to, or it could be that they’ve never even looked into the benefits of ceramic hybrid bearings. Whatever the case may be, it’s definitely worth taking the time to compare steel and ceramic hybrid bearings.
There are those that will point out the cost difference between steel and ceramic hybrid bearings. Yes, steel bearings are still typically less expensive up front than ceramic bearings of the same size. But in most cases, when you consider the lifespan of the different types of bearings, ceramic hybrid bearings come out as the clear winner in terms of value. Ceramic hybrid ball bearings can last up to ten times longer than steel bearings. You read that right—ten times longer! When a product has that type of longevity, it’s worth it to pay more up front. And if you’ve only looked at the prices of ceramic hybrid bearings from some of the large bearing manufacturers, give us a call at CBR Bearing to get a quote. You might be surprised at the great prices we offer—especially considering the quality of our bearings. Our affordable prices could make your decision to switch to ceramic bearings a whole lot easier!
Ceramic hybrid bearings are also superior to steel bearings when it comes to preventing damage in an industrial electric motor—especially those controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD). The silicon nitride balls used in our ceramic hybrid ball bearings are electrically non-conductive, which means the possibility of electrical arcing through the bearing is virtually eliminated. All-steel bearings, on the other hand, do little to prevent electrical arcing, since steel is a conductor of electricity.
Finally, ceramic hybrid bearings give motors increased efficiency when compared to steel bearings. It is estimated that a ceramic hybrid bearing can increase an RPM rating by 25% over steel bearings because they perform with less friction. Less friction yields more power and produces less heat buildup, which results in higher efficiency.
You may have heard the argument for steel bearings that they are less likely to fail than ceramic bearings. This is only the case when you’re talking about bearings that use poor quality ceramic balls. At CBR, all of our ceramic hybrid bearings are manufactured using aerospace-grade ceramic that will never chip, fracture, or fail. They are truly some of the highest-quality bearings being sold today.
Contact us to learn more or to get a quote on the bearings you need for your industrial motors.
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