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5 Reasons to Use Engineered Plastic Ball Bearings Instead of Stainless Steel

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When people picture ball bearings, the ones that come to mind are almost always going to be made out of stainless steel. However, plastic ball bearings are now becoming increasingly popular. Stainless steel might be the classic option, but advances in engineered plastics have provided plastic ball bearings with a whole host of compelling advantages, making them more than worthy of your consideration.

Here are just five reasons why you should strongly consider opting for plastic ball bearings instead of sticking with stainless steel.

1. Plastic Ball Bearings Produce Little Noise

In many industrial environments, excessive noise can be a problem. Not only does it make it harder for teams to communicate, but it can also become aggravating to work under such conditions, and you may need to start providing protective ear wear. Luckily, plastic ball bearings can go a long way towards solving that problem since using them won't produce the same amount of noise as using a stainless steel ball bearings.

2. Plastic Ball Bearings Are Self-Lubricating

One of the biggest problems that comes along with using stainless steel ball bearings is that they will begin to fail if not provided with proper lubrication. With plastic ball bearings, that isn't such an issue. In fact, plastic ball bearings are self-lubricating. You can keep using them for years without any need for maintenance work.

3. Plastic Ball Bearings Are Lightweight

Of the three materials generally used to create ball bearings (stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic), plastic is by far the lightest. Though the weight difference between such small balls might seem unimportant, it can really add up as you use more and more, and placing additional stress on your equipment is never a good idea.

4. Plastic Ball Bearings Are Non-Magnetic

Stainless steel can be treated to make it non-magnetic, but this is a very expensive process that is incredibly inefficient when dealing with objects as small as ball bearings. Plastic is already non-magnetic, so you won't need to worry about any magnetic distortion causing problems with your machinery.

5. Plastic Ball Bearings Deliver Superior Shock-Absorption

You might assume that stainless steel ball bearings are a lot tougher than plastic ones. However, keep in mind that plastics are slightly elastic. This is an advantage because ball bearings made using an engineered plastic are going to be better able to absorb shock and impact energy than ball bearings made from stainless steel.

For more information, contact local professionals like E-Plas.


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