小型玉軸受における転動体材質とトルクとの関係性

抄録

Ceramics are used in rolling bearings because they are lighter than metals, have excellent heat resistance, and have insulating properties. On the other hand, another feature of ceramics is that some have high Young's modulus. In rolling friction, it is well known that surface elastic deformation affects rolling resistance. In other words, it is possible to suppress rolling resistance by using materials with high rigidity, that is, high Young's modulus. In this study, we measured the rotational torque of a ball bearing whose rolling elements were changed to ceramics, and clarified the influence of the material of the rolling elements on the torque. Rolling elements of ball bearings made of SUJ₂, ZrO₂, and Si₃N₄ were used, axial loads of 10N and 100N were applied, the inner ring was rotated at 5400min^-1, and the rotational torque was measured. At both loads, the rotational torque of Si₃N₄ was the lowest. On the other hand, when SUJ₂ and ZrO₂ are compared, ZrO₂ has low rotational torque at 10N, and SUJ2 has low rotational torque at 100N.