Cemented carbide bearing balls are spherical materials made by sintering micron-sized powders of high-hardness refractory metal carbides (such as WC and TiC) as the main component, and cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), or molybdenum (Mo) as a binder, using powder metallurgy technology. They possess a series of excellent properties, specifically as follows:
I. Physical and Mechanical Properties
High Hardness: The hardness of cemented carbide bearing balls typically reaches HRA90-92, far exceeding that of traditional steel balls, enabling them to withstand greater pressure and wear, and maintain long-term stable performance.
High Density: With a density of approximately 14.9 g/cm3, the high density provides better stability and impact resistance during high-speed rotation.
Good Thermal Stability: Cemented carbide bearing balls have a thermal stability of up to 417°C, maintaining stable performance in high-temperature environments and are less prone to deformation or failure.
II. Tribological Properties
Low Coefficient of Friction: Tungsten carbide has a low coefficient of friction, and the cobalt binder phase in cemented carbide acts as a solid lubricant during friction, further reducing the coefficient of friction and minimizing energy loss.
Excellent Wear Resistance: Cemented carbide bearing balls exhibit wear resistance tens to hundreds of times greater than traditional steel balls, maintaining minimal wear during long-term operation and extending service life.
Anti-Adhesive Wear Performance: The hard phases (such as WC and W2C) in cemented carbide possess excellent anti-adhesive wear properties, maintaining good wear resistance even under dry friction conditions.
III. Chemical Properties
Corrosion Resistance: Cemented carbide bearing balls exhibit excellent corrosion resistance to various chemical substances, maintaining stable performance in harsh chemical environments.
Chemical Stability: Cemented carbide itself possesses high chemical stability, is not prone to chemical reactions with substances in the surrounding environment, thus maintaining its original properties.
IV. Other Properties
Bending Resistance: Cemented carbide bearing balls exhibit excellent bending resistance, maintaining shape stability under heavy loads and resisting bending or breakage.
Harsh Environment Adaptability: Due to the aforementioned superior properties, cemented carbide bearing balls can be used in harsh environments such as high temperature, high pressure, high speed, and strong corrosion.
