Selecting the right bearing for a specific application requires a review of performance requirements and material operating limitations. Certain design considerations must be met in the device and bearing to address such factors as load, speed, temperature, environment, method of lubrication and fit. Often times sacrifices must be made in one area to satisfy another to achieve optimal life.
Many factors come into play when selecting a bearing or creating a new design in which a ball bearing will be employed.
 Most important are speed, load and temperature.
Load
Direction
 Radial
 Axial
 Shock
 Combined
Speed
Contstant Variable
 Hi or Low
 dN > 250,000
 
  
Temperature
Average
 Max. Operating
 Ambient
 
  
Environment
Vacuum
 Gas or Air
 Contaminants
 
  
Shaft / Housing
Fits
 Geometry
 Tolerances
 Mounting
  
CN
 C3
 C4
Basic Static
 Basic Dynamic
 Equivalent Dynamic "P"
Determined by size and design.
 
  
Shaft and Housing Fits
  
ABEC Class
  
Basic Bearing Life
 Ceramic Bearning Life
Example Part Number: CS6202XXPKWS - C | S | 6202 | XX | PK | WS
Ball Material: - C
C = Ceramic (Si3N4)
 S = Stainless Steel (440C)
 No symbol = Chrome Steel
 
 
 
 
  
Ring Material: - S
No symbol = Chrome steel
 S = Stainless Steel (440C)
 S3 = Stainless steel (SS304)
 C = Ceramic (Si3N4)
 CR = Ceramic (ZrO2)
 N = Nylon
 P = PEEK
  
Closure: - XX
Gas or Air
 Contaminants
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Retainer material: - PK
PK = PEEK
 PS = PPS
 VP1 = Vespel SP1
 VP3 = Vespel SP3
 TR = Torlon
 PT = PTFE
 NY = Nylon
 PH = Phenolic
 No symbol = Metal
Lubrication: - WS
Dry film lubrication / Coating
 WS = Tungsten Disulfide
 MO = Moly Disulfide
 Grease
 L1 = SRI, General purpose
 L2 = Poly Rex EM, Electric Motor grade
 L3 = Krytox, High Temperature
 L4 = LVP Krytox, Vacuum
 L5 = Kluber NB52, High speed