Suitability of rolling bearings for industrial applications

Symbols Load carrying capability Misalignment Arrangement Suitable for Design features

+++ excellent ↔ double direction

Separable ring mounting

Standard housings and

(few tenths of a degree)
Dynamic misalignment
++ good ← single direction

accessories available
+ fair ◻ non-locating displacement on the seat

Static misalignment
- poor ◾ non-locating displacement within the bearing

Long grease life

– – unsuitable ✓ yes

Integral sealing
High stiffness
✗ no

Tapered bore
Moment load

Non-locating

Low run-out
High speed

Low friction
Radial load

Axial load

Adjusted
Locating

Floating
Bearing type

A +++ A +++ A +++

Deep groove ball bearings + + ↔ A –, B + – –– ↔ ◻ ✗ ✓ + +++ A✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
A B B ++ B+ B ++
A, B +
Insert bearings + + ↔ –– ++ –– ↔ ↔ ✗ ✗ +++ ++ + ++ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✓
A B C C ++

Angular contact ball bearings, single row +1) ++ ← –– – –– ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗

A, B ++ A, B ++ ↔ A ++, B + A, C – –, A, B ↔ A, B ◻
matched single row –– ✗ ✗ ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
A B C C ++1) C ++ ← C–– B– C ← C✗

double row ++ ++ ↔ ++ –– –– ←
→ ◻ ✗ ✗ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ A✓ B✓ ✗ ✗
A B

four-point contact +1) ++ ↔ –– –– –– ↔1) –– –– –– + +++ ++ ++ ++ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗

Self-aligning ball bearings + – –– +++ +2) ↔ ◻ ✗ ✓ +++ ++ ++ + +++ ✓ ✗ ✓ ✓

Cylindrical roller bearings, with cage ++ –– –– – –– ✗ ◾ ✗ ✗ ++ +++ +++ ++ +++ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗

A B
A, B + ← A, B ← A, B ◾ ← A✓
++ –– – –– ✗ ++3) +++ ++ ++ +++ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B C D C, D + ↔ C, D ↔ C, D ✗ B, C, D ✗
A✗
full complement, single row +++ + ← –– – –– ← A, B ← ✗ ✓ – + + +++ – ✗ ✗ ✗
A B B✓
A – –, B + B ← A ◾ ↔
full complement, double row +++ –– – –– ✗ ✗ – + + +++ – D✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
A B C D ← C + ↔ C, D ↔ B ◾ ←
A, B –
Needle roller bearings, with steel rings ++ –– –– –– ✗ ◾ ←
→ ✗ ✗ ++ ++ + ++ + A✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B C C ++
A, B – – A, B ✗ A, B ◾
assemblies / drawn cups ++ –– – –– ✗ ✗ ++ ++ + ++ + B, C ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B C C– C ← C ◾ ←
A –, B +
combined bearings ++ –– –– –– ← ✗ ✓ ✗ + + + ++ + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B C C ++

Tapered roller bearings, single row +++1) ++ ← –– – –– ← ✗ ✓ ✗ + ++ +++ ++ + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗

A, B +++ A, B ++ ↔ A +, B ++ A– A, B ↔ A, B ◻ A, B ✗
matched single row –– ✗ + + ++ +++ + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B C C +++1) C ++ ← C–– B, C – – C ← C✗ C✓
A+
double row +++ ++ ↔ A –, B – – –– ←
→ ◻ ✗ ✗ + + ++ +++ + ✓ ✓ B✓ ✗
A B B ++

Spherical roller bearings +++ + ↔ –– +++ +2) ←

→ ◻ ✗ ✓ + ++ +++ ++ + ✓ ✗ ✓ ✓

CARB toroidal roller bearings, with cage +++ –– – ++ – ✗ ◾ ✗ ✗ + ++ +++ ++ + ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓

full complement +++ –– – ++ – ✗ ◾ ✗ ✗ – + +++ ++ – ✓ ✗ ✓ ✓

A + ← A ←
Thrust ball bearings –– –– –– –– ✗ ✗ ✗ + – ++ + + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B B + ↔ B ↔
A + ← A ←
with sphered housing washer –– –– ++ –– ✗ ✗ ✗ + – + + + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
A B B + ↔ B ↔

Cylindrical roller thrust bearings –– ++ ← –– –– –– ← ✗ ✗ ✗ – – + +++ + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗

Needle roller thrust beairngs –– ++ ← –– –– –– ← ✗ ✗ ✗ – – + +++ + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗

Spherical roller thrust bearings +1) +++ ← –– +++ +2) ← ✗ ✓ ✗ – + + +++ + ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗

1) Provided the F
a/Fr ratio requirement is met
2) Reduced misalignment angle – contact SKF 3) Depending on cage and axial load level