Full ceramic ball bearings use ceramic
Full ceramic ball bearings use ceramic, commonly silicon nitrate, to make the balls and all the rolling elements. Hybrid ceramic bearings use ceramic balls but steel rolling elements. Partial ceramic bearings use ceramic to make the balls and inner race, but stainless steel to make the outer race. It should be noted that the balls in each of these applications are always ceramic raschig ring.
Many people are using alumina ball bearings in their applications because ceramic is lighter than steel. Its lighter weight allows it to spin faster with less energy being put in. Thus, it takes less energy to achieve and maintain a certain speed. Faster speeds also cause less friction than steel bearings. The reduced friction equals less heat and a more efficient energy transfer.
Ceramic ball bearings are also favored by many because they are cheaper to create than steel bearings. In addition, they are heat resistant and have a lower rate of thermal expansion. They are also less dense than steel bearings, meaning that the centrifugal force given off by the elements is not as high. This means they tend to have a longer life span than steel bearings. However, it should be noted that ceramic bearings are not as strong as steel bearings.
In the case of a skateboard wheel, the bearings are inserted into the wheel. Ceramic ball bearings are preferred by some skaters because it produces a smoother and faster ride with less effort being put in by the skater.
There are three different types of ceramic ball bearings: full ceramic bearings, hybrid ceramic bearings, and partial ceramic bearings.