轴承保持架（图）

Bearing cage, also known as bearing retainer, is one of the main components of a bearing. It encloses and separates the rolling elements and moves along with them, and usually serves to guide the rolling elements.

Main Functions of the Cage

1. Maintain proper spacing between rolling elements to prevent them from contacting each other and reduce friction；

2. Distribute the rolling elements evenly for uniform load distribution.
     3. Guide the rolling elements in the unloaded zone to improve rolling conditions inside the bearing and avoid damaging sliding.

The cage is subjected to stresses caused by friction, strain and inertia forces. It also suffers chemical corrosion from lubricants, lubricant additives, substances generated by lubricant aging, organic solvents or coolants. Therefore, the design and material of the cage are critical to its performance and the reliability of the bearing.

Types of Bearing Cages

Bearing cages are classified into stamped cages, solid cages and pillar cages.

Stamped Cage

Solid Cage

1、The advantages of stamped cages are light weight and ample internal space for lubricant to flow in.

2、Solid cages generally permit higher rotational speeds. Machined metal cages shall also be adopted when the bearing undergoes motions other than rotation, especially under high-speed conditions；

3、A pillar cage uses pins to pass through bored rollers, with both ends of the pins fixed to washers. This type of cage is lightweight and can accommodate more rollers, and it is only used for extra-large roller bearings.

Materials for Bearing Cages

Cage materials mainly include stamped steel, machined steel, stamped brass, machined brass and polymer materials.

Stamped Steel Plate Cage

Material: Cold-stamped from high-quality carbon steel sheets of grades 08 and 10.

Advantages: Light weight, good toughness, easy processing, and occupies little space between the bearing inner and outer rings. Lubricating oil can easily enter the bearing and remain inside the cage.

Application: Stamped steel cages are generally used for small and medium-sized bearings.

实体钢保持架

材料：碳素钢锻件精制而成。

优点：较重、强度高、刚性好、价格较低。

应用：中、大型轴承一般采用实体保持架。

实体黄铜保持架

材料：高强度黄铜铸件精制而成。

优点：强度高、抗振动好、摩擦系数小、导热性好、价格较贵。

应用：中、大、特大型轴承；要求高转速、振动大、冲击强的工作环境。

非金属保持架

材料：主要有聚合物及其复合材料，包括尼龙、酚醛胶布、聚四氟乙烯等。

优点：重量轻、摩擦小、良好的强度和弹性、很好的防震和润滑性能。

应用：中、小、微型轴承；需要高转速的场合。

除了上面几种保持架外，根据特殊情况还会使用其他比如不锈钢、铝合金、锌合金等材质。

另外，相同型号轴承常常会根据使用工况而采用不同类型的保持架，以达到最大使用效益。（来源：新昌轴承产业创新服务综合体）