Hybrid bearings have many advantages that set them apart from conventional steel bearings; however, there is also a disadvantage or two. We’ll start with the advantages.
Advantages:Increased Speed Capabilities
Silicon nitride is 58% less dense than conventional bearing steel which minimizes the centrifugal forces acting on the raceway as the ceramic balls rotate. This increases the speed capabilities by 20-50%.
Applications: Motorsport, Machine Tool Spindles, Turbomachinery and Dental Drills.
Increased Lifetime
Silicon nitride is roughly 2 times harder than standard bearing steel. This causes the ceramic balls to polish the metallic raceway as it rotates creating a smoother running surface thus prolonging lifetime.
Applications: any application trying to maximize service life.