Plastic bearings offer several advantages that make them an appealing choice for many businesses. Features like special resistances and electrical non-conductivity make plastic bearings ideal for many markets, such as those with clean-room conditions or sensitive equipment. However, one major advantage of plastic is that it can be made in the style of several other types of bearings.

Plastic bearings can be very versatile, combining the benefits of plastic parts with the special capabilities of each type of bearing. Here are some of the many different types of plastic bearings that business can choose from.

Deep groove ball bearings are some of the most widely used bearing styles, largely due to their ability to handle large loads and fast operating speeds. In addition, deep groove bearings can withstand a radial load and a limited axial load, making it a great option for applications where pressure is applied from both the side of a shaft (radial) and along the shaft (axial). This holds true with the plastic variant of these products, offering a quiet, clean bearing.

Thrust bearings are a type of rotary bearing that’s designed to support axial loads. Plastic Ball thrust bearings combine suitability for high-speed applications and light loads with the perks of plastic bearings, making them ideal for certain high-precision applications.

Angular contact bearings are designed to withstand the demands of high-speed applications. These parts feature a contact angle which can accept radial and thrust loads, although it can only accept thrust loads in one direction.

Thanks to a design where the inner ring, ball, and retainer may freely rotate around the bearing center, these bearings are more capable of accepting deviations in shaft misalignment than other options. Plastic self-aligning bearings combine an ability to withstand arduous operating conditions and environments with the benefits of plastic, making them a natural match for sophisticated devices like medical machinery or semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

When your applications call for smaller diameters and lighter parts, miniature ball bearings may be the right fit. Plastic miniature bearings may be small, but they still offer the level of performance necessary for precision equipment and other applications where larger parts won’t work.

When standard metal races or cages cause problems, plastic is ready to help. With all the various types of plastic bearing options available, it can be tricky to choose which one is best for your applications. Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about which bearing solutions would be best suited to meet the specific needs of your business.