Studies on the Solid Retainer Materials for Ball Bearings (2nd Report). Running Test Results of Ball Bearings Constructed with Solid Retainers of Various Materials

Abstract

Seven materials, such as brass, mild steel, malleable cast iron, free cutting steel, Al-Sn-Cu alloy, duralmin, and phenol-resin were chosen for solid retainer materials of No. 17203 magneto type bearings. The ball bearings constructed with these materials were tested in the spindle apparatus under no load for 150 hours. The weight decreases of the balls, retainers, and outer and inner races, were estimated after running. As the results of running tests, the most desirable materials for a solid material, were found to be such malleable metals as cast iron,brass, mild steel and Al-Sn-Cu alloy (10%Sn, 1%Cu, the rest Al). It is interesting that the pipe of the rapid malleable cast iron made by the centrifugal casting machine will easily be machined for the shaping as a retainer after a very short period of annealing.