FAQ – Bearing Parts

Q: What type of bearing components does Hartford Technologies produce?

A: Bearing races / rings – Bearing races are typically produced using high quality bearing grade chrome steel, which is valued for its superior mechanical properties (tensile strength, hardness, wear resistance).  Precision machining and grinding processes are used to fabricate these components, which must withstand high speeds and loads during operation.

Bearing cages / separators – Used to hold rolling elements (balls or rollers) in proper orientation so they do not all bunch together. Typically made from stamped metal or molded plastic.

Retainers – Used to hold rolling elements (balls or rollers) in proper orientation so they do not all bunch together. Typically made from stamped metal or molded plastic.

Rolling elements are either balls or rollers. Rollers offer higher load carrying capability (theoretically, a line of contact vs. point of contact for a ball).

Q: Why would a customer search only for bearing components versus a complete bearing assembly?

A: In many applications, several components may function together as a bearing assembly, but an end use customer is already producing some of these components. Simple examples may include a shaft that also functions as a bearing inner race, or a housing that performs as an outer race. In this case, a customer may only be searching for a cage / separator and balls or rollers.