Factors to Consider When Selecting a Needle Roller Thrust Bearing

When you are selecting a Needle roller thrust bearing, you need to consider several factors before making your purchase. Some of these factors include the Load capacity, Housing section, and Raceway taper. Understanding these aspects will ensure that you are purchasing the right type of bearing for your needs. In addition, knowing these factors will make your selection much easier.

Needle roller thrust bearings

Needle roller thrust bearings are a versatile type of bearing, used in applications where adjacent components must rotate freely. These bearings have small cross sections and can be manufactured with or without hardened washers. They are easy to lubricate and low-cost to maintain. However, a correct design is necessary to ensure the desired performance.

Needle roller thrust bearings use thin, cylindrical rollers with an outside diameter that is less than half the diameter of the shaft. This design allows for smooth rolling motion, even under heavy loads. Because of their high degree of stiffness, needle roller thrust bearings are also very compact. They also occupy less space than a conventional thrust washer. They are also highly valued for their low height and high number of rolling elements. In addition, they may not require a housing washer or a shaft washer. Additionally, the ends of the needle rollers are usually depressed, reducing the pressure between the rollers and the raceways.

Needle roller thrust bearings can be used in a wide range of applications. They are frequently found in universal joints, first motion shafts, mainshaft constant mesh gear wheel bearings, and small connecting rod bearings. As they are compact and lightweight, they are also widely used in the automotive, agricultural, construction, and two-cycle engine industries. Needle roller bearings are also used in auxiliary equipment like pump clutches and idler pulleys in domestic appliances.

Housing section

A needle roller thrust bearing is a cylindrical thrust bearing that is made of steel. Its cylindrical shape is achieved through the process of spheroidizing. This process involves the decomposition of carbon in the matrix of steel. The resulting material, austenite, has a high carbon content and has a long fatigue life. In addition, it is extremely resilient to wear.

The Housing section of a needle roller thrust bearing is made of an alloy with a smaller diameter than the bearing section. Its size can vary from 11/2 to 2 times the bearing section. The housing bore dimension must be chosen carefully for proper sizing. Some types of needle bearings are mounted in a tight transition fit housing, while others are mounted in clearance-fit housings. The housing should be sized so that the outer rings are aligned with the snap ring and housing shoulder.

Raceway taper

A needle roller thrust bearing features a large outer ring that is machined, ground, or channel-shaped, which increases its sturdiness and resistance to shock and overload. Such a design also allows the needle roller bearing to be mounted in a split housing, which allows assembly in inaccessible places.

This bearing has a very low friction coefficient. Its performance is best in temperatures ranging from -30 deg C to +120 deg C. In these temperatures, MARC tapered roller bearings are effective. They are suitable for applications where temperature tolerance is important. However, high temperatures may cause the bearing to deform.

Moreover, a high load capacity may lead to increased noise and vibration. Therefore, it is important to consider the type of raceway when purchasing a needle roller thrust bearing. If the raceway taper is greater than the tolerance of the shaft, this may cause higher stress concentrations on the rollers and reduced bearing fatigue life.

Load capacity

Needle roller thrust bearings are used for a variety of applications. Needle roller bearings have a light cross section that makes them easy to mount in housings. Some are also self-aligning, making them the best choice for situations where alignment is difficult or when deflection is a factor. Manufacturers describe a wide range of standard needle bearings and offer special designs and variations.

The needle roller steel is usually made of JIS-SUJ2, which contains a carbide matrix with fine round carbide. The finer the carbide, the better, as it has a longer fatigue life. When hot working, the steel is subjected to a process called carbonitriding. This process adds nitrogen to the matrix, making it highly resistant to wear.

Lubrication system

The lubrication system of a needle roller thrust bearing is an integral part of the device. There are several methods of lubrication and each has their own advantages. The splash-feed method is popular for applications with high speed and high temperature. The lubricating oil is splashed on the bearings due to the movement of the moving parts. The force-feed method is more suitable for applications with high speeds and heavy loads. It uses a pump to circulate oil through a cooler and a filter, and a distribution system that directs oil to all bearings.

A proper lubrication system for a needle bearing is crucial to its longevity and performance. It should provide protection against temperature and friction forces, as well as radial, axial, and vibration forces. It is vital to avoid incompatible lubricants, which may decrease performance and cause bearings to freeze.