Since the characteristics of materials used for cages greatly influence the performance and reliability of rolling bearings, the choice of materials is of great importance.
It is necessary to select cage materials in accordance with required shape, ease of lubrication, strength, and abrasion resistance.
Typical materials used for metallic cages are shown in Tables 13-3 and 13-4.
In addition, phenolic resin machined cages and other synthetic resin molded cages are often used.
Materials typically used for molded cages are polyacetal, polyamide (Nylon 6.6, Nylon 4.6), and polymer containing fluorine, which are strengthened with glass and carbon fibers.
Table 13-3 Chemical compositions of pressed cage steel sheet (A) and machined cage carbon steel (B)
| Standard | Code | Chemical composition(%) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Ni | Cr | |||
| (A) | JIS G 3141 | SPCC | Not more than 0.12 | - | Not more than 0.50 | Not more than 0.040 | Not more than 0.045 | - | - |
| JIS G 3131 | SPHC | Not more than 0.15 | - | Not more than 0.60 | Not more than 0.050 | Not more than 0.050 | - | - | |
| BAS 361 | SPB 2 | 0.13 - 0.20 | Not more than 0.04 | 0.25 - 0.60 | Not more than 0.030 | Not more than 0.030 | - | - | |
| JIS G 4305 | SUS 304 | Not more than 0.08 | Not more than 1.00 | Not more than 2.00 | Not more than 0.045 | Not more than 0.030 | 8.00 - 10.50 | 18.00 - 20.00 | |
| (B) | JIS G 4051 | S 25 C | 0.22 - 0.28 | 0.15 - 0.35 | 0.30 - 0.60 | Not more than 0.030 | Not more than 0.035 | - | - |
Table 13-4 Chemical composition of high-tensile brass casting of machined cages
| Standard | Code | Cu | Zn | Mn | Fe | AI | Sn | Ni | Impurity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pb | Si | |||||||||
| JIS H 5120 | CAC301 （HBsC*） |
55 - 60 | 33 - 42 | 0.1 - 1.5 | 0.5 - 1.5 | 0.5 - 1.5 | Not more than 1.0 | Not more than 1.0 | Not more than 0.4 | Not more than 0.1 |
* :Material with HBsC is used.
