Engineering Reference

Precision Ball & Roller Bearings
(Medium to Large Diameter)

Cages

NHBB utilizes numerous cage types consisting of different materials, manufacturing processes, and configurations to satisfy a diverse range of application requirements. A limited number of standard cage materials such as steel, bronze, phenolic, and nylon are sufficient to cover a broad spectrum of speeds and operating temperatures. In high speed, high temperature, and highly corrosive conditions, it may be necessary to specify more specialized materials such as silicon-iron bronze or steel with silver plating to improve performance and prolong bearing life. In high load conditions, the optimal solution may be a full ball complement-or cage-less-design. While the following information is a good starting point, our application engineers are ready to assist you in selecting the most appropriate cage configuration for your specific application. 

Below we highlight the most common bearing cages for radial ball bearings; angular contact, gothic arch and fractured race ball bearings; and cylindrical roller bearings:


Radial Ball Bearings

Style - pocket typePiloting SurfaceMaterial (Fabrication Method) Max. Speed [1000 dN*] Max. Operating Temp.UtilityLimitationsTypical Applications

2-piece ribbon, spherical pocket (clinched)

LandRSteel (stamped)150
150

900 °F (482 °C)

Compact - seal or shield clearance, low starting torque, low cost 

Low to moderate speeds only, high wear rate, mis-registration 

General purpose, industrial

BallRD
2-piece ribbon, spherical pocket (riveted)LandR4Steel (stamped)250900 °F (482 °C)Compact - seal or shield clearance, low starting torque, low cost Moderate speed capability, high wear rate Motors, generators
BallR6

2-piece ribbon, cylindrical pocket, skirted (riveted)

Inner LandR5Phosphor bronze (stamped) 1,000400 °F (204 °C)Higher speed/ strength capability, stable - tolerates higher acceleration Higher cost, ground land (ring) surfaces, limited availability - consult factory Transmission, power units
Outer LandR7
2-piece, cylindrical pocket (riveted)

Inner Land

B1

Leaded {80-10-10} Bronze (machined)1,000500 °F (260 °C)High speed/ strength capabilityModerate costGearboxes
Outer LandB2
Inner LandS1

Steel - silver plate (machined)

1,500900 °F (482 °C)Higher speed/ strength capability, corrosion resistant, lubricity Higher cost - typically used with M50 rings and balls Aircraft engine gear boxes
Outer LandS2
Outer LandM3Phenolic - linen base, aluminum side plates (machined) 1,000300 °F (149 °C)High speed capability, can be impregnated with oilModerate cost, reduced clearance - typically used with open bearings Starters, generators, high speed motors
Crown, staggered cylindrical-spherical pocketBallM8PEEK** (molded) 1,000500 °F (260 °C)Light weight, high temperature/strength capability, abrasion resistantHigher cost, limited availability - consult factoryHigh reliability, aerospace - power transmission
Crown, spherical pocketBallM7PA*** - glass reinforced (molded)300300 °F (149 °C)Flexible - tolerates misalignment, low noise, abrasion/ impact resistantLow cost/high volume, hygroscopic (3%), limited availability - consult factory Industrial, electric motors, munitions
Crown, cylindrical pocketInner LandKEPhenolic - linen base (machined)600300 °F (149 °C)Lower mass-less centrifugal deflection, porous - can be impregnated with oilLimited compatibility, hygroscopic, outgasses in a vacuumMedical, machine tools, rotary joints, etc.
Outer LandKF
Inner LandM6PA*** - glass reinforced (molded) 300300 °F (149 °C) Flexible - tolerates misalignment, low noise, abrasion/ impact resistantLow cost/high volume, hygroscopic (3%), limited availability - consult factoryIndustrial, electric motors, munitions

Please note: Additional cage designs and materials are available. Consult the factory for assistance.
† See page 7 of our Roller and Ball Bearings Design Guide ;for alphanumeric part number code.      
* dN = bore (in millimeters) x rpm.
** PEEK = Polyetheretherketone is a high-melt-temperature thermoplastic.
*** PA = Polyamide (a.k.a. Nylon or Nylon 6/6) is a high-melt-temperature thermoplastic.


Drawings of Cages for Radial Ball Bearings

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R, RD


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R4, R6

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R5, R7

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B1, B2

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S1, S2

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M3

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M8


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M7

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KE, KF

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M6


Angular Contact, Gothic Arch, and Fractured Race Ball  Bearings 

Style - pocket typePiloting SurfaceMaterial (Fabrication Method) Max. Speed [1000 dN*] Max. Operating Temp.UtilityLimitationsTypical Applications
1-piece, cylindrical pocketLandMEPEEK** (molded) 1,000500 °F (260 °C) Light weight, high temperature/strength capability, tough, abrasion resistant High cost, limited availability - consult factoryHigh reliability, aerospace - power transmission
Inner LandKMPhenolic - linen base (machined)1,500300 °F (149 °C) Quiet running, porous - can be impregnated with oilLimited compatibility, hygroscopic, outgasses in a vacuum Spindles, high speed motors, robotic joints
Outer LandKV
LandMNPA*** - glass filled (molded) 750300 °F (149 °C)  Quiet running, abrasion/impact resistantLow cost/high volume, hygroscopic (3%), limited availability - consult factoryMotors, spindles, general purpose
MXBronze**** (machined)1,500500 °F (260 °C) Thin cross section, higher ball groove shoulders, high speed/ strength capabilityHigh costPower transmission, aircraft accessories
M2Steel - silver plate (machined)3,000900 °F (482 °C) Higher speed/ strength capability, corrosion resistant, lubricityHigher costAircraft accessories, high speed transmission
1-piece, cylindrical pocket, with ball retention

Typical - retention feature located opposite piloting surface
Inner LandMPLeaded (80-10-10) bronze (machined)1,000350 °F (177 °C)Moderate speed/strength capabilityModerate costPumps, actuators, accessory gear boxes
Outer LandMQ
Inner LandB5Silicon-iron bronze (machined)2,000500 °F (260 °C)High speed/ strength capabilityHigher costGearboxes
Outer LandB6Silicon-iron bronze (machined)
Inner LandS3Steel - silver plate (machined)3,000900 °F (482 °C)Higher speed/ strength capability, corrosion resistant, lubricityHigher costHigh reliability mainshaft bearings, gea
Outer LandS4Steel - silver plate (machined)
Outer LandKSPhenolic - linen base (machined)1,500300 °F (149 °C)Quiet running, porous - can be impregnated with oilLimited compatibility, hygroscopic, outgasses in a vacuumMotors, spindles

Please note: Additional cage designs and materials are available. Consult the factory for assistance.
† See page 7 of our Roller and Ball Bearings Design Guide ;for alphanumeric part number code. 
* dN = bore (in millimeters) x rpm. 
** PEEK = Polyetheretherketone is a high-melt-temperature thermoplastic.
*** PA = Polyamide (a.k.a. Nylon or Nylon 6/6) is a high-melt-temperature thermoplastic.
**** Types other than 80-10-10 (leaded bronze) are assigned a special design (SD) number. See Ball Bearing Part Numbering System on page 7 of our Roller and Ball Bearings Design Guide.


Drawings of Cages for Angular Contact, Gothic Arch and Fractured Race Ball Bearings

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ME, KV, KM, MN, MX, M2


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MP, MQ, B5, B6, S3, S4, KS


Cylindrical Roller Bearings

Style - Pocket TypePiloting SurfaceMaterial (Fabrication Method) Max. Speed-dN*Max. Operating Temp.UtilityLimitationsTypical Applications
1-piece, rectangular pocket, with roller retention

Typical - retention feature located opposite piloting surface
LandSSteel - silver plate (machined) 3,000900 °F (482 °C) Higher speed/ strength capability, corrosion resistant, lubricity High costMainshafts, gearboxes
BLeaded {80-10-10} bronze (machined) 1,000350 °F (177 °C) Moderate strength/ speed capability Moderate costPumps and Accessories
BSilicon-iron bronze (machined)   1,500500 °F (260 °C)High speed/ strength capabilityModerate costGearboxes
PPEEK** (molded)1,000500 °F (260 °C)Light weight, high temperature/strength capability, tough, abrasion resistantHigh cost, limited availability - consult factory High reliability, aerospace - power transmission
1-piece, rectangular pocket, with roller retention

Typical - retention feature located opposite piloting surface
Land 
S
Steel - silver plate (machined)3,000900 °F (482 °C)Higher speed/ strength capability, corrosion resistant, lubricityHigh costMainshafts, gearboxes
BLeaded {80-10-10} bronze (machined)1,000350 °F (177 °C)Moderate strength/ speed capability Moderate cost Pumps and Accessories
BSilicon-iron bronze (machined) 1,500500 °F (260 °C)High speed/ strength capabilityModerate costGearboxes
PPEEK** (molded) 1,000500 °F (260 °C)Light weight, high temperature/strength capability, tough, abrasion resistant High cost, limited availability - consult factoryHigh reliability, aerospace - power transmission

† Typical nomenclature that corresponds to material type only. Other distinguishing features are defined according to a unique dash number. See Roller Bearing Part Numbering System on page 6 of our Roller and Ball Bearings Design Guide.
S = Steel with silver plate
B = Bronze
P = Plastic
* dN = bore (in millimeters) x rpm.
** PEEK = Polyetheretherketone, a high-melt-temperature thermoplastic.

Drawings of Cages for Cylindrical Roller Bearings

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S, B, P


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S, B, P variation