Spherical Roller Bearings

Structure Of Spherical Roller Bearings

The core structure of spherical roller bearings consists of four main components: an inner ring with double raceways, an outer ring with a spherical raceway, a set of spherical rollers, and a cage.

Its key design feature is that the center of curvature of the outer ring raceway coincides with the bearing center, enabling the inner ring, rollers, and cage assembly to rotate freely at a certain angle relative to the outer ring. This grants the bearing self-aligning capability, allowing it to compensate for shaft deflection, installation deviations, and misalignment issues.

Main Classifications Of Spherical Roller Bearings

1.According to different cage designs, spherical roller bearings are mainly classified into types such as CA, CC, MB, MA, E, and E1 (CCJA).

CA CC MB

Model example: 23152CA/W33C3, 23152CC/W33C3, 23152MB/W33C3, 23152MA/W33C3, 23152CA/W33C3F3.

23152CA/W33C3: Equipped with a machined solid cage, it is the most conventional and commonly used structure, with the highest circulation in the domestic market. Its production costs are also well-controlled.

23152CC/W33C3: Adopts a stamped cage, which reduces the space occupied by the cage and increases the proportion of rolling elements, thereby enhancing the overall load-carrying capacity of the bearing. Generally, the load capacity of rolling elements determines that of the entire bearing, and they are also the first part to be damaged after overloading. It allows a certain degree of forward and reverse rotation but has poor shock resistance. Sweden's SKF is most proficient in and popularizes this type.

23152MB/W33C3: When asynchronous rotation speeds occur between the two rows of rollers during equipment operation, the cage is separated in the middle to reduce the torque on the cage caused by inconsistent running speeds of rollers on both sides, thus protecting itself. It is the earliest improved version of CA and was favored by Soviet designers.

23152MA/W33C3: Integrates the functions of MB. Due to its enlarged and heightened outer edge, which is almost close to the outer ring raceway, in equipment with high vibration, where significant centrifugal force is generated, the outer edge of the cage reduces damage to itself caused by centrifugal swinging by impacting the outer ring. This is an optimal design by Germany's FAG.

23152CAF3/W33C3: The cage material is F3 ductile iron. Its structure is identical to that of CA; the only difference is that the cage material is changed from copper to ductile iron (F1-45# steel is also used in some cases).

2.The inner bore of spherical roller bearings has two types: cylindrical and tapered. The tapered bore has taper ratios of 1:12 and 1:30. Bearings with tapered bores are often mounted on shafts with adapter sleeves or withdrawal sleeves in many cases.

Model example: 23152MB/W33 24052MBK/W33 24152MBK30/W33

Common Models

ISO	GOST (cylindrical bore)	GOST (tapered bore)
23040	3003140	3113140
23140	3003740	3113740
23240	3003240	3113240
22240	3540	113540
22340	3640	113640
24040	4053140	4453140
24140	4053740	4453740

For bearings of the same size, different companies design different cage structures based on their own technical concepts combined with practical applications. In most cases, they can be used interchangeably, though prices may vary.