A Brief Guide to Selecting the Most Compatible Steel Balls for Your Application

February 24, 2022

Industrial processes will never be complete without the help of quality mechanical components. One of the components that most common industrial processes would need is the steel ball.

Steel balls are rolling spherical elements that are installed in various rolling mechanisms of machines, assemblies, and others. As their name implies, steel balls are made from steel, which is well-known for its excellent strength, reliable toughness, dependable cost-effectiveness, and ensured sustainability. They are likewise electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, and refractory-resistant.

The following are some more information about steel balls production and a simple guide on selecting the most compatible ones for your application.

Steel Balls Production

Steel balls can be produced in various steps.

First, bar stock materials are forged to form rough ball shapes or preforms. Afterwards, the forging flash out of these materials is removed through rough machining or soft grinding. The balls then undergo quenching and tempering heat treatment, ensuring that they can attain the specific qualities. Subsequently, the heat-treated steel balls are finished with hard grinding, lapping, and polishing. These processes can remove almost all nicks and imperfections out of the steel balls. They can likewise ensure that the steel balls will attain the intended design, spherical accuracy, and grade dimensions.

Ultimately, steel balls are applied with lubricant or rust-preventive before inspecting and packaging them.

Selecting Steel Balls

There are two factors that you must consider when selecting the best steel balls for your application. These factors are the size and the material.

One factor that you should always consider when selecting steel balls is their size. There are tons of steel ball options in the market right now. Standard-sized steel balls, for instance, are typically more affordable than others. They can likewise be delivered right away. Custom-sized steel balls, alternatively, may take some time to obtain. However, they can be customised more freely than others. And so, if you require steel balls that have specific sizes and dimensions, then you must opt for the latter.

Material, subsequently, is another factor that you must consider in selecting the steel balls for your application. Steel may blend with carbon, chrome, and other elements to alter its overall qualities. Knowing the nature of your application can help you determine the right material for your steel balls.

Steel Balls Applications

Many industries maximise steel balls in their applications. Some of these industries are automotive, bearings, casters, military, paint, pharmaceutical, sports, and toys.

But to be more specific, electrically conductive steel balls can be maximised in electrical contacts, switches, battery safety releases, and microelectronic interconnects. Low-density steel balls, on the other hand, are recommended for float and level sensing applications. Steel balls that can handle impact, abrasive minerals, and erosive fluids can then be utilised for oil, gas, and mining applications.

To gain access to steel balls, you can call us at Global Bearing Imports. We have extensive experience in sourcing and supplying many types of bearings for all industrial and automotive applications.

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