When customizing automotive bearings, the following materials can be selected according to specific working conditions and performance requirements:
1. Steel type (mainstream choice)
High carbon chromium bearing steel (GCr15)
Characteristics: carbon content of 0.95% -1.10%, chromium content of 1.30% -1.65%, hardness of 58-64HRC after heat treatment, excellent wear resistance, fatigue resistance and hardenability.
Application: Widely used in engines, transmissions, wheel hubs, and other parts to meet high-precision and high reliability requirements.
. Variants: German 100Cr6, Swedish SKF3, American 52100, etc., improve hardenability by adjusting alloy elements (such as Mo) to adapt to parts with different wall thicknesses.Carbonized bearing steel (such as 20Cr2Ni4A, 18CrNiMo7-6)
Characteristics: Carbon content 0.15% -0.25%, high core toughness, and surface hardness of 60-65HRC after carburizing treatment.
.Application: Components such as differentials and clutches that require high impact load and fatigue resistance performance.
.Medium carbon bearing steel (such as 42CrMo, 40CrNiMo)
Characteristics: Contains alloying elements such as Cr and Mo, improves hardenability, corrosion resistance, and strength, and has secondary hardening effect.
. Application: Bearings that are resistant to impact and vibration, such as shield machine bearings and some machine tool bearings.Stainless steel (such as 440C, 304)
Characteristics: 440C (martensitic system) has high hardness, while 304 (austenitic system) has better corrosion resistance.
.Application: Used in humid or polluted environments, such as medical devices, food processing machinery, and parts of automobiles that require high corrosion resistance.
.II. Non ferrous metals (applicable to special working conditions)
Copper alloys (such as bronze and brass)
Characteristics: high mechanical strength, strong corrosion resistance, excellent conductivity, and easy processing.
.Application: Sliding bearings, such as certain low-speed and heavy-duty parts in engines.
.Aluminum alloy
Characteristics: light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, good heat dissipation.
.Application: Wheel hub bearing unit, pursuing lightweight and beautiful car models.
.Titanium alloy
Characteristics: high strength, lightweight, corrosion resistance, but high cost.
.Application: High end vehicle wheel hub bearings, ultimate performance demand scenarios.
.III. Non metallic materials (light load, low-speed applications)
Engineering plastics (such as POM, PA66)
Characteristics: self-lubricating, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, low cost.
.Applications: cages, seals, or low-speed, light-duty bearings (such as handcarts, sliding doors).
.Ceramic materials (such as silicon nitride Si ∝ N ₄, silicon carbide SiC)
Characteristics: low density, high hardness, low coefficient of thermal expansion, good chemical stability, weight can be reduced by 40% -60%.
.Application: High end automotive wheel hub bearings, engine valve rocker arm bearings, extend lubricant life, and reduce maintenance costs.
.Fourth, Composite Materials (High Performance, Lightweight Direction)
Metal Matrix Composite Materials
Characteristics: Adding reinforcing phases such as carbon fiber and glass fiber to the metal matrix improves strength and stiffness while maintaining toughness.
. Application: Manufacturing of automotive bearings, balancing high performance and lightweight.Ceramic based composite materials
Characteristics: Combining the advantages of ceramics and metals, it enhances performance in high-temperature and high-speed environments.
.Application: Future direction of high-end bearing research and development.
.Fifth, Material Selection Basis
Load and Speed: For high loads and speeds, choose high carbon chromium bearing steel or carburizing steel;
; Optional engineering plastics for light load and low speed. Environmental conditions: Choose stainless steel for humid or corrosive environments; Choose high-temperature alloys (such as Inconel, Hastelloy) for high-temperature environments. Lightweight requirements: Aluminum alloy or ceramic materials can reduce weight and improve fuel economy.Cost budget: The cost of steel is low, while the cost of ceramics and composite materials is high, requiring a balance between performance and price.
.