Product Description
In the ever-evolving world of engineering and technology, the quest for materials that offer superior performance and longevity is unending. Advanced Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) ceramic balls have emerged as a game-changer, outshining traditional materials like steel and zirconia in numerous applications.
Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) is an advanced ceramic material renowned for its exceptional mechanical properties. These ceramic balls are crafted through a meticulous manufacturing process that involves sintering, which ensures their reliability and performance across various demanding applications. Here’s what sets them apart:
- High Hardness and Strength: Si3N4 balls are significantly harder than steel, contributing to their excellent durability.
- Low Density: They are lighter than steel, reducing the overall weight of the bearing.
- High Resistance to Wear and Corrosion: Ideal for harsh environments, Si3N4 balls maintain their shape and function over time.
One of the standout features of Si3N4 ceramic balls is their ability to withstand extremely high temperatures, up to 1000°C. This makes them ideal for applications involving high-speed, high-temperature environments, such as gas turbines and electric motors. In contrast, steel balls may fail under such conditions, leading to frequent replacements and maintenance.
Silicon Nitride balls offer significantly lower friction compared to steel, enabling high-speed operations with less heat generation. This reduced friction is particularly beneficial in industries relying on precision machinery, such as semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace.
The wear resistance of Si3N4 balls is superior to that of steel, allowing them to maintain their functionality even after prolonged use in harsh conditions. This translates to longer-lasting bearings, reducing the need for frequent replacements and lowering maintenance costs.
Due to their low density, Si3N4 balls are much lighter than their steel counterparts. This reduced weight decreases centrifugal force during rotation, enabling higher speeds without compromising bearing stability. This property is especially advantageous in high-speed machinery like semiconductor equipment and aerospace applications.
A unique characteristic of Si3N4 ceramic balls is their non-conductive nature, making them essential in applications where electrical insulation is crucial, such as in electric motors and generators. This property prevents electrical corrosion, protecting bearings in electric vehicles and other equipment exposed to electrical currents.
Si3N4 balls exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, making them ideal for industries like aerospace, military, and chemical processing, which often deal with corrosive substances. Their resistance to most chemicals provides a reliable solution for challenging environments.
In aerospace and military applications, the ability to withstand high speeds and temperatures is vital. Si3N4 bearings help reduce maintenance needs in critical systems, improving the reliability of equipment like aircraft engines and defense systems.
In the automotive sector, particularly in electric vehicles, Si3N4 balls are used in electric motors and hybrid bearings. Their lightweight nature enhances component efficiency, while their excellent thermal properties extend part lifespan, boosting overall vehicle performance.
In high-precision industrial equipment like semiconductor manufacturing and metalworking tools, Si3N4 bearings ensure smooth and efficient operations. Their ability to function under low lubrication conditions and at high speeds makes them invaluable in these industries.
In wind turbines, Si3N4 ball bearings offer the durability needed to handle large loads and high stresses associated with power generation. Their longer lifespan and reduced maintenance requirements make them ideal for renewable energy applications, where minimizing downtime is crucial.
When comparing Si3N4 balls to steel and zirconia, the differences are evident:
- Hardness: Si3N4 has a hardness of 1500 HV compared to steel's 750 HV.
- Density: Si3N4's density is 3.21 g/cm³, significantly lower than steel's 7.8 g/cm³.
- Wear Resistance: Si3N4 offers excellent wear resistance, while steel is merely good.
- Corrosion Resistance: Si3N4 provides high corrosion resistance, unlike steel.
While zirconia also offers some advantages over steel, Si3N4 surpasses it in terms of temperature resistance and mechanical strength, making it the superior choice for high-performance applications.
| 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
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FAQ
1. What sizes and tolerances are available?
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Diameter range: 0.5mm to 50mm (custom sizes possible).
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Sphericity: As low as 0.1µm (Grade 5 for ultra-precision bearings).
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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:
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Load & speed requirements (dynamic/static stress).
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Temperature range (Si3N4 excels in high heat).
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Chemical exposure (resistant to most acids/alkalis).
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Electrical insulation needs (non-conductive).
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