Prefix & Suffix Interchange Reference Guide

Regarding bearing selection and replacement, it is crucial to understand the representation of prefixes and suffixes of different bearing manufacturers. This guide will provide a picture of the prefixes and suffixes of several common bearing manufacturers in the market to help you; for more technical support, please get in touch with our engineers via email.

* Prefix  / ** Old Nomenclature; New = CA, CB, CC, GA, GB, GC

References: ntnamericas.com

1、Why is it important to understand bearing prefixes and suffixes?

Bearing suffixes and prefixes are used to indicate specific features of a bearing, such as its type, size, and material. Understanding these terms can help you select the correct bearing for your application and understand the functions of different bearings.

2、What is an ABEC rating, and what do the different levels mean?

ABEC, an acronym for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee, is an American Bearing Manufacturers Association division. The ABEC system is the Precision Perrin Standard. The standard specifies ball size and running tolerances (bearings under the ABEC system are numbered 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9; the higher the number, the higher the precision, the faster the speed, and the more expensive the bearing). However, it is worth noting that a higher ABEC rating only sometimes means a better bearing, as most applications do not require a higher precision level than ABEC1. Often, ABEC1 bearings have no suffix at all.

3、What do the bearing suffix letters mean?

The rear code of the bearing uses letters and numbers to indicate the structure of the bearing, tolerances, special requirements of the material, and so on. The content of the rear code is a lot; the following are a few commonly used codes.

(1) the internal structure code is expressed in the same type of bearing of different internal structures, with letters immediately after the basic code. For example, the contact angle of 15 °, 25 °, and 40 ° angular contact ball bearings with C, AC, and B, respectively, the internal structure of the different.

(2) bearing tolerance level is divided into 2 levels, 4 levels, 5 levels, 6 levels, 6X level, and 0 levels, a total of 6 levels, in order from the high level to the low level, the code was / PZ, / P4 '/ PS, / P6, / P6X and / PO. The tolerance level, 6X level, only applies to tapered roller bearings; 0 levels for the ordinary level, in the wheel bearing code, is not marked out.

(3) The commonly used bearing radial clearance series is divided into 1 group, 2 groups, 0 groups, 3 groups, 4 groups, and 5 groups, a total of 6 groups, with radial clearance from small to large. o group clearance is commonly used. Clearance groups in the bearing code are not marked; the rest of the clearance groups in the bearing code are with / CI, / CZ, / C3, / C4, and / CS, respectively.

4、What is the role of a cage in a bearing, and what do the different cage suffixes indicate?

Cages (also known as rolling element retainers) can play various roles in the regular operation of rolling bearings. The cage separates the rolling elements and avoids contact and wear between the rolling elements. The cage aligns the rolling elements on the raceways of the inner ring, preventing them from slipping, sliding, or tilting and ensuring pure rolling. From the mounting point of view, the cage keeps the rolling elements on the inner ring to facilitate bearing mounting. In some cases, the cage can also improve the lubrication of the bearing raceways or the contact surfaces of the flanges.

Familiar cage suffixes include "J" for steel cage, "M" for machined brass cage, and "TN" for polyamide cage. These suffixes are more common in roller bearings than in ball bearings.