51104 Single-Direction Thrust Bearing: 20mm ID, 35mm OD, 10mm Thick
For Equipment
As an important member of the thrust ball bearing family, the 51104
flat thrust bearing plays a key role in axial support across
various mechanical fields. With its precise dimensional design and
reliable performance, it provides solid guarantees for the stable
operation of various equipment.
1. Basic Dimensions
- Inner Diameter (d): 20mm. This inner diameter is carefully designed to fit numerous
standard shaft diameters, ensuring tight coordination with the
shaft for efficient transmission of axial force. It prevents shaft
system displacement and lays the foundation for the stable
operation of the mechanical system.
- Outer Diameter (D): 35mm. It forms a scientific ratio with the inner diameter, not
only providing sufficient installation space for the rolling
element and cage assembly but also meeting the compact layout
requirements of equipment, enabling efficient load-bearing within
limited space.
- Thickness (T): 10mm. The thickness design balances load-bearing strength and
operational flexibility. When bearing axial loads, it ensures the
bearing ring has sufficient strength to avoid deformation;
meanwhile, the reasonable thickness control reduces friction during
rolling element movement, minimizes operational heat generation,
and improves equipment operating efficiency.
2. Structural Features
It adopts a separable structure, consisting of a shaft washer
(interference fit with the shaft, rotating with the shaft), a
housing washer (transition fit with the equipment housing or
support base, fixed and non-rotating), and a steel ball-cage
assembly. This structure allows individual installation and
disassembly of each component, greatly simplifying the equipment
assembly process, facilitating later maintenance, and reducing
maintenance costs and downtime. It should be noted that the 51104
flat thrust bearing can only bear unidirectional axial loads and
cannot withstand radial loads. In practical applications, it needs
to be matched with radial support components (such as deep groove
ball bearings) to form a complete shafting support solution.
3. Core Materials
- Bearing Rings: High-carbon chromium bearing steel, such as SAE-52100 or GCr15,
is mostly used. After quenching and tempering, this type of steel
reaches a hardness of HRC 60-64, featuring excellent wear
resistance, fatigue resistance, and impact toughness. It can
withstand contact stress caused by axial loads for a long time,
significantly extending the bearing's service life. In special
working conditions (such as strong corrosion environments),
stainless steel is used to enhance the bearing's corrosion
resistance.
- Rolling Elements: Bearing steel balls of the same material as the bearing rings are
usually adopted. The surface undergoes precision grinding, with
roundness error controlled at the micron level, effectively
reducing friction loss when in contact with the bearing rings and
ensuring smooth operation. For extreme working conditions such as
high temperature and high speed, ceramic rolling elements (e.g.,
silicon nitride ceramics) can be selected, which have advantages of
high hardness, low friction, high temperature resistance, and
corrosion resistance, further optimizing the bearing's performance.
- Cages: Conventional models often use nylon materials (e.g., PA66), which
are lightweight, have a low friction coefficient, and good
self-lubrication. They can accurately guide the uniform
distribution of steel balls, prevent collision between rolling
elements, and ensure stable bearing operation. In high-speed or
high-temperature environments, stamped steel or brass cages are
used to enhance structural stability and high-temperature
resistance.
4. Key Performance Parameters (Taking Mainstream Brands as
Examples)
- Rated Load: The basic dynamic load rating (C) is approximately 15.8-16.2kN,
and the basic static load rating (C₀) is about 28.0-29.0kN. It can
meet the axial load requirements of various small and medium-sized
equipment, such as small elevators and light conveyors.
- Speed Performance: The limiting speed is approximately 5300-5600r/min under grease
lubrication, and can reach 7800-8500r/min under oil lubrication. In
actual use, the speed should be adjusted reasonably according to
factors such as lubrication method and load magnitude to prevent
overheating damage to the bearing due to overspeed.
- Applicable Temperature: Under conventional working conditions, the applicable temperature
range is -40℃ to 120℃. With high-temperature grease and special
materials, the applicable temperature can be extended to above
150℃, meeting the operation requirements of equipment under
different ambient temperatures.
5. Lubrication Requirements
- Grease Lubrication: Suitable for scenarios with relatively low speed (≤5000r/min) and
inconvenient oil replenishment. Lithium-based grease (e.g., Grade
EP2) is recommended, with a filling amount of 1/3-1/2 of the
bearing's internal space. Grease lubrication not only provides good
dustproof and sealing effects but also effectively reduces friction
and wear.
- Oil Lubrication: Applicable to high-speed (>5000r/min) or high-load working
conditions. It is recommended to use ISO VG32 or VG46
extreme-pressure industrial gear oil, with lubrication performed
through oil bath or oil injection. Oil lubrication can quickly
dissipate heat generated during operation, significantly improving
heat dissipation efficiency and ensuring stable operation of the
bearing under harsh working conditions.
6. Typical Application Fields
- Small and Medium-sized Mechanical Equipment: Such as the lifting mechanism of dental treatment chairs, the
paper-feeding shaft support of barcode printers, and the axial
positioning of traction machines for small elevators. It undertakes
key tasks of axial positioning and load transmission.
- Transmission Systems: Commonly used in the axial support of reducer output shafts and
motor end covers, as well as the axial limit of Roots pump rotors.
It ensures stable operation of the transmission system and
efficient power transmission.
- Light Industry and Agricultural Equipment: Applied in the roller shafts of knitting machinery, the hydraulic
systems of small tractors, and the main shafts of canning
processing equipment. It adapts to the light-load and medium-low
speed operation characteristics of the equipment, providing
reliable support for stable equipment work.
With its precise dimensions of 20mm inner diameter, 35mm outer
diameter, and 10mm thickness, combined with a separable structure,
high-quality wear-resistant materials, and stable load-bearing
performance, the 51104 flat thrust bearing has become an ideal
choice for many small and medium-sized machinery that require high
axial support accuracy and space compactness, providing reliable
axial support guarantees for the long-term stable operation of
equipment.