51106 Thrust Ball Bearing: 30mm ID, 47mm OD, 11mm Thick For
Transmission Systems
The 51106 flat thrust bearing, a significant component within the
thrust ball bearing series, is pivotal in offering axial support
across a wide array of mechanical applications. Its meticulous
design in dimensions and robust performance attributes underpin the
stable and efficient operation of diverse machinery.
1. Basic Dimensions
- Inner Diameter (d): 30mm. Engineered with precision, this inner diameter is tailored
to interface seamlessly with a variety of standard shafts. This
ensures a snug fit, enabling the efficient transfer of axial forces
and safeguarding against any potential shaft misalignment or
displacement, which is fundamental for the reliable operation of
mechanical assemblies.
- Outer Diameter (D): 47mm. Complementing the inner diameter, the 47mm outer diameter
is optimized to create an ideal space for the rolling elements and
cage assembly. It not only provides ample room for these components
to function smoothly but also adheres to the space - saving
requirements of modern, compact machinery designs, making it
suitable for applications where space is at a premium.
- Thickness (T): 11mm. The 11mm thickness strikes a balance between load - bearing
capacity and rotational agility. When subjected to axial loads, the
bearing rings are fortified with sufficient strength to resist
deformation, ensuring structural integrity. Simultaneously, this
thickness minimizes frictional resistance during the movement of
the rolling elements, curbing heat generation and enhancing the
overall operational efficiency of the machinery over extended
periods.
2. Structural Features
The 51106 flat thrust bearing adopts a separable construction,
comprising a shaft washer, a housing washer, and a steel ball -
cage assembly. The shaft washer, which has an interference fit with
the shaft, rotates in tandem with the shaft. In contrast, the
housing washer, with a transition fit to the equipment housing or
support base, remains stationary. This separable design streamlines
the installation and disassembly processes of individual
components. It simplifies equipment assembly, reduces maintenance
complexity, and curtails both maintenance costs and equipment
downtime. It is important to note that the 51106 flat thrust
bearing is designed to handle unidirectional axial loads only and
is not suitable for withstanding radial loads. In practical
applications, it is often paired with radial - supporting
components such as deep - groove ball bearings to establish a
comprehensive shafting support system.
3. Core Materials
- Bearing Rings: Predominantly, high - carbon chromium bearing steels like SAE -
52100 or GCr15 are utilized. After undergoing quenching and
tempering treatments, these steels achieve a hardness range of HRC
60 - 64. This imparts exceptional wear resistance, fatigue
resistance, and impact toughness, allowing the bearing rings to
endure the high contact stresses induced by continuous axial
loading over long service life cycles. In more demanding
environments, such as those with corrosive elements, stainless -
steel materials are selected to enhance the bearing's corrosion
resistance capabilities.
- Rolling Elements: Typically, bearing steel balls of the same material as the
bearing rings are employed. Their surfaces are precision - ground
to achieve micron - level roundness tolerances. This high -
precision finish significantly reduces friction losses during
contact with the bearing rings, ensuring smooth and stable
rotational motion. For extreme operating conditions, such as high -
temperature or high - speed applications, ceramic rolling elements,
like silicon nitride ceramics, can be substituted. These ceramic
alternatives offer advantages such as high hardness, low friction
coefficients, excellent high - temperature resistance, and
corrosion resistance, thereby further optimizing the bearing's
performance under harsh conditions.
- Cages: In standard models, nylon materials, such as PA66, are commonly
used for cages. Nylon cages are lightweight, possess low friction
coefficients, and exhibit good self - lubricating properties. These
characteristics enable them to precisely guide the uniform
distribution of steel balls, preventing collisions between rolling
elements and ensuring the stable operation of the bearing. In high
- speed or high - temperature scenarios, stamped steel or brass
cages are preferred. These materials enhance the cage's structural
stability and heat resistance, ensuring reliable performance in
challenging environments.
4. Key Performance Parameters (Taking Mainstream Brands as
Examples)
- Rated Load: The basic dynamic load rating (C) for the 51106 flat thrust
bearing typically ranges from approximately 22.8 - 23.5 kN, while
the basic static load rating (C₀) falls in the range of 41.5 - 43.0
kN. These ratings enable the bearing to effectively meet the axial
load demands of a wide range of small - to - medium - sized
equipment, such as certain types of conveyor systems and small -
scale hoisting machinery.
- Speed Performance: Under grease lubrication, the limiting speed of the 51106 bearing
is around 4000 - 4300 r/min. With oil lubrication, this can be
elevated to 6000 - 6500 r/min. In actual operation, factors such as
the lubrication method and the magnitude of the applied load must
be carefully considered when determining the operating speed. This
is crucial to avoid over - speeding the bearing, which can lead to
excessive heat generation and subsequent damage.
- Applicable Temperature: In normal operating conditions, the 51106 flat thrust bearing can
function within a temperature range of - 40°C to 120°C. By
employing high - temperature grease and specialized materials, this
temperature range can be extended to over 150°C, enabling the
bearing to adapt to the operating requirements of equipment in both
normal and elevated - temperature environments.
5. Lubrication Requirements
- Grease Lubrication: Grease lubrication is well - suited for applications with
relatively low rotational speeds (≤4000 r/min) and where frequent
oil replenishment is inconvenient. Lithium - based grease, such as
Grade EP2, is recommended, with a filling volume of 1/3 - 1/2 of
the bearing's internal space. Grease lubrication serves multiple
functions, including dust prevention, sealing, and friction
reduction, thereby extending the bearing's service life in such
conditions.
- Oil Lubrication: For high - speed applications (>4000 r/min) or those with high -
load requirements, oil lubrication is the preferred choice. ISO
VG32 or VG46 extreme - pressure industrial gear oils are typically
recommended, and lubrication can be achieved through either oil
bath or oil injection methods. Oil lubrication effectively
dissipates the heat generated during operation, significantly
enhancing the bearing's heat dissipation efficiency and ensuring
stable operation under demanding working conditions.
6. Typical Application Fields
- Small and Medium - Sized Machinery: It is commonly employed in the axial positioning and load -
transfer mechanisms of equipment such as small - scale printing
presses, where it ensures precise movement and reliable load -
bearing during operation. In addition, it is used in the lifting
mechanisms of some small - sized medical examination tables,
providing stable axial support for smooth height adjustments.
- Transmission Systems: The 51106 bearing plays a vital role in the axial support of
certain types of gearbox output shafts, helping to maintain the
stability of the transmission system and ensuring efficient power
transfer. It is also used in the axial limiting mechanisms of some
types of positive - displacement pumps, such as vane pumps,
ensuring the proper alignment and operation of the pump's rotors.
- Light Industry and Agricultural Machinery: In the textile industry, it is utilized in the roller shaft
supports of some knitting machines, adapting to the light - load
and medium - low - speed operation characteristics of these
machines. In agricultural applications, it can be found in the
hydraulic systems of small - scale tractors, providing reliable
axial support for the proper functioning of hydraulic cylinders and
valves, contributing to the stable operation of agricultural
machinery.
In summary, with its precise dimensions of 30mm inner diameter,
47mm outer diameter, and 11mm thickness, combined with a separable
structure, high - quality wear - resistant materials, and reliable
load - bearing performance, the 51106 flat thrust bearing stands as
an optimal choice for a wide range of small - to - medium - sized
machinery that demands high - precision axial support and compact
space utilization. It provides a dependable axial support solution
for the long - term, stable operation of equipment.