Product Description
In the realm of advanced materials, Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) balls have emerged as a pivotal component in high-temperature applications. Known for their low thermal expansion and exceptional stability, these ceramic balls are revolutionizing industries that demand durability and efficiency under extreme conditions.
Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) is an advanced ceramic material renowned for its superior mechanical properties. These balls are crafted through a meticulous manufacturing process involving sintering, which enhances their durability and performance. The key attributes of Si3N4 balls include:
- High Hardness and Strength: Si3N4 balls are significantly harder than steel, making them incredibly durable.
- Low Density: Lighter than steel, they reduce the overall weight of the bearing.
- High Resistance to Wear and Corrosion: Ideal for harsh environments where durability is paramount.
These properties are achieved through precise manufacturing processes, ensuring reliability across various applications.
One of the most significant advantages of Si3N4 balls is their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, up to 1000°C. This makes them ideal for high-speed, high-temperature applications such as gas turbines and electric motors, where traditional materials might fail.
Si3N4 balls offer reduced friction compared to steel, enabling high-speed operations with less heat generation. This characteristic is particularly beneficial in industries relying on precision machinery, ensuring smooth and efficient rotation.
The wear resistance of Si3N4 balls surpasses that of steel, maintaining their shape and function even after prolonged use in challenging environments. This results in longer-lasting bearings, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance.
Due to their low density, Si3N4 balls are much lighter than steel, reducing centrifugal force during rotation. This allows for higher speeds without compromising bearing stability, making them ideal for high-speed machinery.
Si3N4 ball bearings are non-conductive, crucial for applications requiring electrical insulation, such as electric motors and generators. This prevents electrical corrosion, protecting bearings in hybrid bearings used in electric vehicles.
Si3N4 balls exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for industries dealing with corrosive substances, such as aerospace, military, and chemical processing.
In aerospace and military applications, Si3N4 bearings reduce maintenance needs in critical systems, improving the reliability of equipment like aircraft engines and defense systems.
In the automotive sector, particularly electric vehicles, Si3N4 balls are used in electric motors and hybrid bearings. Their lightweight nature increases component efficiency, while their thermal properties extend the lifespan of parts.
In high-precision industrial equipment like semiconductor manufacturing and metalworking tools, Si3N4 bearings ensure smooth and efficient operations under low lubrication conditions and at high speeds.
Si3N4 ball bearings in wind turbines offer the durability needed to handle large loads and high stresses associated with power generation, making them ideal for renewable energy applications.
When comparing Si3N4 balls to steel balls, the differences are clear:
- Hardness (HV): Si3N4 - 1500; Steel - 750
- Density (g/cm³): Si3N4 - 3.21; Steel - 7.8
- Thermal Expansion (10⁶/K): Si3N4 - 3.4; Steel - 12.5
- Wear Resistance: Si3N4 - Excellent; Steel - Good
- Corrosion Resistance: Si3N4 - High; Steel - Poor
Si3N4 bearings offer superior wear resistance, hardness, and corrosion resistance compared to steel, making them better suited for demanding applications.
While Si3N4 balls may have a higher initial cost, their long-term value is evident through reduced maintenance, extended service life, and fewer replacements. These factors lead to a lower total cost of ownership over time, making them a smart investment for industries demanding high-speed and high-performance bearings.
| Property |
Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) |
Steel (440C) |
Zirconia (ZrO2) |
Alumina (Al2O3) |
| Density (g/cm³) |
3.2 |
7.8 |
6.0 |
3.9 |
| Hardness (HV) |
1,400–1,600 |
700–900 |
1,200–1,300 |
1,500–1,800 |
| Fracture Toughness (MPa·m½) |
6–7 |
15–20 |
7–10 |
3–4 |
| Compressive Strength (GPa) |
2.5–3.5 |
2.0–2.5 |
2.0–2.3 |
2.0–3.0 |
●Description:
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Ball is the most ideal bearing ball for bearing applications, due to the excellent properties of silicon nitride ceramics, it has many irreplaceable advantages comparing to traditional steel materials, such as: high mechanical strength, low wear loss, good self-lubrication, low density, high corrosion resistance, good electrical insulation etc.
Therefore, Silicon Nitride Balls are mostly used for some harsh working conditions: high speed/super speed bearings, high precision bearings, bearings in vacuum, high/low temperature bearings.
Moreover, Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls can also used as valve ball or measurement balls in chemical pumps/high temperature pumps/metdering pumps.
●Physical Properties:
|
Chemical Composition:
|
Si3N4≥95%
|
|
Bulk Density:
|
3.2±0.05g/cm3
|
|
Elastic Modulus:
|
350GPa
|
|
Hardness Vickers:
|
1870HV
|
|
Bending Strength:
|
780MPa
|
|
Fracture Toughness:
|
7.2MPa·m1/2
|
|
Thermal Expansion Coefficient:
|
3.2 10-6/K
|
|
Thermal Conductivity:
|
25W/(m·K)
|
● Ball Sizes/Grade :
|
Size (mm)
|
Φ0.8-180
|
|
Grade
|
Vdws
|
SPH
|
Vdwl
|
Ra
|
|
G3
|
0.05-0.08
|
≤0.08
|
<0.13
|
0.01
|
|
G5
|
0.08-0.13
|
≤0.13
|
<0.25
|
0.014
|
|
G10
|
0.15-0.25
|
≤0.25
|
<0.5
|
0.02
|
|
G16
|
0.2-0.4
|
≤0.4
|
<0.8
|
<0.025
|
|
G20
|
0.3-0.5
|
≤0.5
|
<1
|
<0.032
|
|
G100
|
0.4-0.7
|
0.4-0.7
|
<1.4
|
<0.0105
|
Factory equipment
Exhibition & Partner
Case
Ship to South Korea
Ship to Spain
FAQ
1. What sizes and tolerances are available?
-
Diameter range: 0.5mm to 50mm (custom sizes possible).
-
Sphericity: As low as 0.1µm (Grade 5 for ultra-precision bearings).
-
Surface finish: Ra < 0.02µm (mirror polish for low friction).
2. Are silicon nitride balls FDA-approved for medical use?
Yes! Si3N4 is biocompatible (ISO 6474-1) and used in spinal implants, dental devices, and joint replacements due to its antibacterial properties.
3. How do I choose the right Si3N4 balls for my application?
Consider:
-
Load & speed requirements (dynamic/static stress).
-
Temperature range (Si3N4 excels in high heat).
-
Chemical exposure (resistant to most acids/alkalis).
-
Electrical insulation needs (non-conductive).
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