What are stainless steel ball bearings?

Basic structure of stainless steel ball bearings
Composed of inner ring, outer ring, ball (steel ball), and retainer, some models come with sealing rings or dust covers.
The ball rolls on a precise track (raceway) between the inner and outer rings, reducing friction and achieving efficient rotation.

Core material
Made of stainless steel (such as 304, 316, 440C, etc.), it has stronger corrosion resistance compared to ordinary carbon steel bearings.
Suitable for humid, acidic or alkaline environments, or places with high cleanliness requirements such as food and medical.

Core advantages
Corrosion resistance: Not easy to rust, can withstand environments such as water, steam, weak acids and bases.
Cleanliness: No risk of coating peeling off, suitable for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Medium load capacity: able to withstand certain radial and axial forces, but not as strong as high carbon steel bearings in terms of load-bearing capacity.

Common types
Deep groove ball bearings: the most universal, suitable for radial and certain axial loads.
Angular contact ball bearings: capable of withstanding higher axial forces, commonly used for paired installation.
Thrust ball bearings: designed specifically for pure axial loads and must be installed horizontally.

Typical applications
Food processing equipment (mixers, filling machines)
Medical instruments (centrifuges, surgical tools)
Marine equipment (ship pumps, deck machinery)
Chemical machinery (corrosion-resistant pumps, valves)

Limitations
Not resistant to strong acids and alkalis: concentrated hydrochloric acid and high concentration salt spray can still corrode stainless steel.
Limited bearing capacity: Alloy steel bearings are more suitable for high load and high impact scenarios.
High cost: More expensive than ordinary carbon steel bearings, requiring a balance between corrosion resistance requirements and economy.