What is the difference between radial and angular contact ball bearings?

The key difference between a radial ball bearing and an angular contact ball bearing lies in their load-carrying capabilities and their applications.

A radial ball bearing, as the name suggests, is primarily designed to support radial loads perpendicular to the shaft's axis. It has a 0-degree contact angle between the balls and the raceways, enabling efficient radial load distribution. Radial ball bearings are commonly used in applications where the load acts perpendicular to the shaft's axis, such as in electric motors, pumps, and fans.

On the other hand, an angular contact ball bearing is engineered to handle both axial and radial loads. It features an inclined raceway design, which allows for efficient load distribution in both axial and radial directions. The contact angle between the balls and the raceways determines the bearing's load-carrying capacity. Angular contact bearings are ideal for applications where both axial and radial loads coexist, such as machine tools, robotics, and automotive wheels.

Radial ball bearings are designed for pure radial load support, while angular contact ball bearings are suitable for applications with combined axial and radial loads. Understanding these distinctions is essential for selecting the right type of bearing for specific industrial applications.

VXO Angular Contact Ball Bearing Supplier Reference

What is the difference between radial and angular contact ball bearing?