What Is a Thrust Bearing?
Bearings are simple, yet crucial, elements found in countless machines and equipment assemblies, allowing for motion to be constrained to set movements while also minimizing the amount of friction that occurs between two or more moving surfaces. Donut-shaped in appearance, bearings take on the stress of moving parts to best protect the assembly they are installed in.
Varying in design to accommodate different system needs, there are many common bearing types that one may choose from. Thrust bearings in particular are a popular choice, serving as a rotary or roller bearing that supports axial loads.
Assisting the moving parts of an assembly, a thrust bearing is designed to assist rotation and glide alongside parts as they revolve. For their design, such bearings feature a number of small metal balls which are situated around their perimeter, allowing for axial thrust along horizontal and vertical shafts to be supported. With the use of a
thrust bearing, revolving parts can avoid having shafts drifting in the axial direction. Additionally, the bearing can also transfer all thrust loads that are applied to the shaft.
For their placement, thrust bearings are typically seated against a raised thrust collar around the shaft. With pairs on each side of the thrust collar, more optimal axial load transfers can be achieved. Similar to bearings as a whole, thrust bearings also feature various types, each differing in their design and capabilities. The thrust ball bearing is a common type that is often found in low thrust applications where axial loads are low. Generally, these types can be procured in either a single direction or double direction design.
Tapered thrust roller bearing components are another type, and such parts are utilized in automotive assemblies where they undertake higher thrust loads with their increased contact area. Unlike other various
types of thrust bearing components, tapered thrust roller bearings are able to accommodate both radial and axial loads. Alongside such examples, one may also take advantage of other various types such as the cylindrical and spherical thrust roller bearing.
When deciding between various bearings, there are some important factors that one should consider before making a purchasing decision. Bearings will often come in different sizes, thus one will need to determine what size will match the application in question. Even if a bigger or smaller bearing fits, it can cause issues further down the line which can be avoided with a proper fit. Additionally, the materials used to construct the bearing are important to consider, especially those of the
bearing ball elements.
If a thrust bearing contains ball elements that are constructed from a cheaper or weaker material, degradation can occur much faster. For a higher quality build, one may want to look for thrust bearings that feature stainless steel or glass balls due to their longevity and performance. Alongside such factors, one should also take into account load carrying capacities, application specific requirements, lubrication, and more.
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mary wilson
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Posted on December 2, 2021
aircraft parts