Radial & Axial Play
When a ball bearing is running under a load, force is transmitted from one bearing ring to the other through the balls. Since the contact area between each ball and the rings is relatively small, moderate loads can produce stresses of tens, even hundreds of thousands of pounds per square inch. These internal stresses have a significant impact on bearing life and performance. Thus the internal geometry of a bearing–its radial play, raceway curvature and contact angle–must be carefully chosen so loads can be distributed for optimal performance.
Most ball bearings are assembled in such a way that a slight amount of looseness exists between the balls and the raceways. This looseness is referred to as radial play and axial play. Radial play is the maximum distance that one bearing ring can be displaced with respect to the other, in a direction perpendicular to the bearing axis when the bearing is in an unmounted state.
Axial play, or end play, is the maximum relative displacement, in a direction parallel to the bearing axis, between the two rings of an unmounted ball bearing.
Since radial play and axial play are both consequences of the same degree of looseness between the components, they bear a mutual dependence. Yet their values are usually quite different in magnitude.
Radial play can often vary between .0002 and .0020, while axial play may range from .001 to .010. The suggested radial play ranges for typical applications should always be consulted when a device is in the initial design phase. In most ball bearing applications, radial play is functionally more critical than axial play. While radial play has become the standard purchasing specification, you may also specify axial play requirements. Keep in mind, however, the values of radial play and axial play for any given bearing design are mathematically interdependent, and that radial play is affected by any interference fit between the shaft and bearing I.D. or between the housing and bearing O.D.
See charts, below.
| SUGGESTED RADIAL PLAY | |
|---|---|
| Typical Applications | Suggested Radial Play* |
| Small Precision High Speed Electric Motors | .0005 to .0008 |
| Tape Guides, Belt Guides, Low Speed | .0002 to .0005 |
| Tape Guides, Belt Guides, High Speed | .0005 to .0008 |
| Gyro Gimbals, Horizontal Axis | .0002 to .0005 |
| Gyro Gimbals, Vertical Axis | .0005 to .0008 |
| Precision Gear Trains, Low Speed Electric Motors, Synchros and Servos | .0002 to .0005 |
| Gyro Spin Bearings, Ultra-High Speed Turbines and Spindles | Consult NPB |
* Measurement in inches.
| STANDARD RADIAL PLAY RANGES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Radial Play Range* | NPB Code |
| Tight | .0001 to .0003 | P13 |
| Normal | .0002 to .0005 | P25 |
| Loose | .0005 to .0008 | P58 |
| Extra Loose | .0008 to .0011 | P811 |
* Measurement in inches. Non-standard ranges may be specified.
