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About MicroBlue Bearings
The MicroBlue BEARING STORE
Coated Ceramic Ball Bearings
Coated Steel Ball Bearings
Coated Tapered Roller Bearings |
CERAMIC BEARINGS: WHAT ARE THEY?
Ceramic bearings used in racing are constructed using conventional hardened steel races, but with the steel balls replaced with ceramic balls. We improve them by superfinishing the steel races, then coat the races and the ceramic balls with MicroBlue® - the coating that changes the way lubricants work. The result is the finest ball bearing available, anywhere.
The two primary benefits ceramics bring to the table is: 1) they are 58% lighter in weight than steel balls and 2) they're considerably "rounder" than steel types. How much "rounder"? Steel balls typically have tolerance variations between 50 and 60 millionths of an inch, whereas a grade 5 Cerbec ball will only have 10 millionths variation, and have are a surface finish superior to steel balls.
WHY ARE CERAMIC BEARINGS BETTER?
Ceramic balls have considerably lower amount of thermal expansion compared to steel balls. This results in them cooler running and improved lubricant life.
The balls in ceramic bearings are much harder than steel balls (over 100% harder). This, combined with their excellent surface finish is the reason they dramatically out-wear steel types. In identical running conditions, the balls in ceramic bearings exhibit less than 10% of the wear of steel balls.
WHAT MAKES MICROBLUE® CERAMIC BEARINGS BETTER THAN ORDINARY CERAMICS?
Simply put, MicroBlue works by changing the way lubricants work. When you combine this with superfinished races and the benefits of ceramic balls, you have the freest rolling, coolest running and longest lasting bearings you can buy.
I'VE HEARD STORIES ABOUT FAILURES. WHY IS THAT?
Common bearing failures are the result of excessive RPM, lack of lubrication and/or the presence of contaminants. The result is either bearing surface breakdown and/or ball "skidding". The smooth finish and the increased "roundness" of ceramic balls perform better in harsh environments, but are not infallible. More than likely, most of the failures's you've heard about can be traced back to cheap, imported ceramic coated steel balls. Here's some information on how real ceramic balls are made.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO TELL?
The best advice we can give you, is to look carefully at the color of the balls. Cerbec balls are typically between dark, reddish brown to dark charcoal gray. Bearings with lighter, gray colored balls something you should be wary of.
WHAT MAKES IMPORTED BALLS MORE LIKELY TO FAIL?
The majority of imported balls are actually ceramic coated steel balls. This reduces costs by eliminating the costly manufacturing processes pure ceramic balls require. The problem is, the will not tolerate anything near the compressive stresses pure ceramic balls can. Since the underlining steel balls can (and will) flex, the internal forces cause the ceramic outer coating to crack and spall. Is it worth the risk? We think not. That's why we have never used anything but Cerbec balls. We haven't had a ceramic ball fail in 10 years, and we'd like it to keep it that way. For some interesting information on Cerbec ceramics, check this out: www.cerbec.com
ARE THEY WORTH IT?
There is no question that ceramic hybrid bearings are "freer rolling" than steel types, but their high cost, understandably, gives pause to many. The primary reason is the cost of the ceramic balls. The other is that they are hand-built, not mass produced. We do our best to offer MicroBlue ceramics priced as close to the market rate for a quality bearing as possible. Quite honestly, for those on a budget, we suggest you think about using one of our fine superfinished and coated poly/steels.
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