Ceramic Wheel Bearings Vs Steel

The only real big noticeable difference between the two is the bearing clearance.

Ceramic wheel bearings vs steel.

Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings ceramic materials offer superior corrosion and heat resistance higher dimensional stability and lower density which facilitates high speed. Most sealed ceramic bearings are actually hybrid ceramic bearings which combine a steel race with ceramic ball bearings. Geometrically the contact points inner and outer dimensions and thickness between steel and ceramic bearings is the same so they are interchangeable. Once you have a considerable amount of mileage on a bearing set it is safe to think that the high quality bearing runs close to how you bought it and a basic bearing is closer to the end of it s life span.

Stainless steel bearings and full ceramic bearings are both corrosion resistant but the ceramic bearings have greater corrosion resistance. The ceramic balls when manufactured by a top quality bearing manufacturer are rounder lighter and smoother than steel balls. They are more corrosion resistant harder and last longer in everyday use. In our higher end cult.

They will both also cope with higher temperatures than chrome steel but ceramic bearings also win here. Performance is the litmus test of a bearing. A high end 25 steel bearing will almost always offer better performance and wear characteristics than a low grade 25 ceramic. Campagnolo chooses to put ceramic bearings in all of its wheelsets from mid range upwards.

Ceramic is brittle and unlike steel does not handle vertical loading well. An example of steel bearings that offer extremely low friction include bottom bracket bearings from hawk racing. If you want a good ceramic bearing be prepared to pay for it. A top class set of steel bearings as compared to a much promoted ceramic bearing is just as high performing.

This reduces friction by up to 40 as well as energy loss allowing your equipment to run more efficiently with ceramic ball bearings. On ceramic bearings this is usually a c3 clearance whilst on steel it s usually cn. A ceramic bearing is also harder than steel bearings up to 30 which improves durability and they also don t rust so less maintenance should be required. This makes their application in ball bearings somewhat impractical for both longboard and skateboard.

Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings ceramic materials offer superior corrosion and heat resistance higher dimensional stability and lower density which facilitates high speed.