Double row angular contact ball bearings

12 Mar.,2024

 

Double row angular contact ball bearings are particularly suitable where:

  • the design envelope is not sufficient under high loads for a pair of single row angular contact ball bearings
  • high radial and axial loads are acting simultaneously
  • tilting moments must also be supported
  • a relatively rigid bearing arrangement is required
  • the bearing arrangement is to run quietly in addition to meeting the requirements stated above

Double row angular contact ball bearing –
comparison of design envelope with bearing set composed of single row angular contact ball bearings

B = total width of bearing or bearing set

Design variants

Double row angular contact ball bearings are available as:

Larger catalogue bearings and other bearing designs GL 1.

Bearings of basic design

Comparable with a pair of single row angular contact ball bearings

Double row bearings correspond in their structure to a pair of single row angular contact ball bearings in an O arrangement, but they are narrower to a certain extent. They differ in the size of the contact angle α and the design of the bearing rings. Due to the manufacturing processes used, open bearings, which are also available with sealing washers or sealing shields, can have turned recesses in the outer and/or inner ring for sealing washers or sealing shields.

Extensive and versatile range of product variants

Bearings of series 38..-B(-2RSR, -2Z), 30..-B(-2RSR, -2Z), 32..-B(-2RSR, ‑2Z), 32..-BD(-2HRS), 33..-B(-2RSR, -2Z), 33..BD(-2HRS) are self-retaining. They do not have filling slots in the end faces of the bearings rings ➤ Figure. Bearings of series 32..-BD and 33..-BD have an optimised internal construction.

In design terms, double row angular contact ball bearings thus fulfil the requirements for:

  • supporting axial loads in both directions and high radial loads
  • low-noise running
  • versatile application

Nominal contact angle α = 25° or 30°

The nominal contact angle α in B designs is 25°, in the case of the BD variant , this is 30°.

Double row angular contact ball bearing
of basic design

Fr = radial load

Fa = axial load

α = nominal contact angle

Bearings with filling slot

Nominal contact angle α = 35°

Angular contact ball bearings of series 32 and 33 are self-retaining. They have filling slots on one end face of the bearing ring for filling the bearings with rolling elements ➤ Figure. The nominal contact angle is α = 35°.

These series must be fitted such that the main load direction is supported by the row of balls without filling slots under axial load.

Double row angular contact ball bearing
with filling slot

Fr = radial load

Fa = axial load

α = nominal contact angle

Bearings with split inner ring

Nominal contact angle α = 45°

In angular contact ball bearings of series 33..-DA, the inner ring is split ➤ Figure. The inner rings are not self-retaining. Filling the bearings with a large number of balls – in conjunction with the internal design of the bearing and the contact angle of 45° – allows high alternating axial loads to be supported.

The inner ring halves are matched to the particular bearing and must not be interchanged with those of other bearings of the same size.

Double row angular contact ball bearing
with split inner ring

Fr = radial load

Fa = axial load

α = nominal contact angle

X-life premium quality

Bearings of series 32..-BD and 33..-BD are X-life bearings ➤ link. These bearings exhibit considerably higher performance than standard double row angular contact ball bearings ➤ Figure. This is achieved, for example, through the modified internal construction, higher surface quality of the contact surfaces and optimised cage design, as well as through the improved quality of the steel and rolling elements.

Advantages

Increased customer benefits due to X-life

The technical enhancements offer a range of advantages, such as:

  • a more favourable load distribution in the bearing and thus a higher dynamic load carrying capacity of the bearings ➤ Figure
  • quieter running
  • running with reduced friction and greater energy efficiency
  • lower heat generation in the bearing
  • higher possible speeds
  • lower lubricant consumption and, consequently, longer maintenance intervals
  • a measurably longer operating life of the bearings
  • high operational security
  • compact, environmentally-friendly bearing arrangements

Lower operating costs, higher machine availability

In conclusion, these advantages improve the overall cost-efficiency of the bearing position significantly and thus bring about a sustainable increase in the efficiency of the machine and equipment.

Suffix XL

X-life angular contact ball bearings include the suffix XL in the designation ➤ Figure, ➤ Figure and ➤ link.

Comparison of basic dynamic load rating
Cr – bearing series 33..‑BD‑XL, bore code 02 to 16, with a bearing which is not of X-life quality (33..-B)

Cr = basic dynamic load rating


Bore code

Areas of application

Wide application range

Due to their special technical features, double row X-life angular contact ball bearings are highly suitable for bearing arrangements in:

  • compressors
  • fluid and hydraulic pumps
  • automotive chassis and gearboxes
  • industrial gearboxes
  • agricultural vehicles
  • elevators and packaging equipment
  • heavy motorbikes
  • machine tools
  • textile machinery

X-life indicates a high product performance density and thus a particularly significant benefit to the customer.

Capable of supporting axial loads in both directions and radial loads

In addition to high radial loads, double row angular contact ball bearings can also support axial forces in both directions and tilting moments ➤ Figure. They are highly suitable for bearing arrangements with rigid axial guidance.

Contact angle and axial load carrying capacity

The bearings are available with α = 25°, 30°, 35° and 45° ➤ Figure to ➤ Figure. The axial load carrying capacity increases with the size of the contact angle. In bearings without filling slots, it is the same in both directions.

The angular adjustment facility is very limited

The bearings are not suitable for the compensation of angular misalignments. In addition, misalignments induce internal forces, which not only lead to higher temperatures, but also to a reduction in the bearing rating life.

Angular contact ball bearings sealed on both sides are maintenance-free

Open bearings and bearings with seals on both sides are greased using a high quality grease. Bearings sealed on both sides are maintenance-free for many applications, i.e. they do not require relubrication.

Open bearings must be lubricated

Angular contact ball bearings without seals and with seals on one side of series 32.., 33.., 33..-DA, 32..-BD and 33..-BD are not preserved or greased. These bearings must be lubricated with oil or grease.

Compatibility with plastic cages

When using bearings with plastic cages, compatibility between the lubricant and the cage material must be ensured if synthetic oils, lubricating greases with a synthetic oil base or lubricants containing a high proportion of EP additives are used.

Observe oil change intervals

Aged oil and additives in the oil can impair the operating life of plastics at high temperatures. As a result, stipulated oil change intervals must be strictly observed.

2RS, 2RSR and 2HRS seals are contact designs

Series 38..-B, 30..-B, 32..-B and 33..-B with the suffix 2RS, 2RSR and 2HRS have lip seals in axial contact on both sides and in radial contact ➤ Table. Bearings with the suffix RS, HRS and RSR are sealed on one side with lip seals in axial and radial contact.

2Z sealing shields and 2RZ seals are non-contact designs

Bearing series with the suffix 2Z have sheet steel sealing shields on both sides. Bearings with the suffix 2RZ are fitted with rubberised gap seals on both sides.

Open bearings

In the case of unsealed bearings, sealing must be carried out by the adjacent construction. The sealing system should reliably prevent:

  • moisture and contaminants from entering the bearing
  • the egress of lubricant from the bearing

Limiting speeds and reference speeds in the product tables

The product tables give two speeds for most bearings:

  • the kinematic limiting speed nG
  • the thermal speed rating nϑr

Limiting speeds

The limiting speed nG is the kinematically permissible speed of the bearing. Even under favourable mounting and operating conditions, this value should not be exceeded without prior consultation with Schaeffler ➤ link.

The values given in the product tables are valid for oil lubrication in the case of bearings without seals or shields and for grease lubrication where bearings are supplied greased and with seals or shields.

Values for grease lubrication

For grease lubrication, 75% of the value stated in the product tables is permissible in each case.

Reference speeds

nϑr is used to calculate nϑ

The thermal speed rating nϑr is not an application-oriented speed limit, but is a calculated ancillary value for determining the thermally safe operating speed nϑ ➤ link.

Bearings with contact seals

For bearings with contact seals, no speed ratings are defined in accordance with DIN ISO 15312:2004. As a result, only the limiting speed nG is given in the product tables for these bearings.

The Schaeffler Noise Index (SGI) has been developed as a new feature for comparing the noise level of different bearing types and series. As a result, a noise evaluation of rolling bearings can now be carried out for the first time.

Schaeffler Noise Index

The SGI value is based on the maximum permissible noise level of a bearing in accordance with internal standards, which is calculated on the basis of ISO 15242. In order that different bearing types and series can be compared, the SGI value is plotted against the basic static load rating C0.

This permits direct comparisons between bearings with the same load carrying capacity. The upper limit value is given in each of the diagrams. This means that the average noise level of the bearings is lower than illustrated in the diagram.

The Schaeffler Noise Index is an additional performance characteristic in the selection of bearings for noise-sensitive applications. The specific suitability of a bearing for an application in terms of installation space, load carrying capacity or speed limit for example, must be checked independently of this.

Schaeffler Noise Index
for double row angular contact ball bearings

SGI = Schaeffler Noise Index

C0 = basic static load rating

Limiting values

The operating temperature of the bearings is limited by:

  • the dimensional stability of the bearing rings and rolling elements
  • the cage
  • the lubricant
  • the seals

Possible operating temperatures of double row angular contact ball bearings ➤ Table.

Permissible temperature ranges

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