
If you work with motion systems long enough, you learn that the humble deep groove ball bearing carries more of the world’s machinery than we give it credit for. Motors, pumps, fans—heck, even skate wheels. And, to be honest, the category keeps evolving: cleaner steels, tighter vibration grades, smarter seals. I’ve been in plants where a $5 bearing stopped a million-dollar line. So yes, the details matter.
A deep groove ball bearing uses inner and outer rings with deep raceway arcs to support radial loads and, with the right radial clearance (often C3), meaningful axial loads from both directions. With increased clearance and premium grease, some users run them where high-speed angular contact would normally go. Surprising, but true in moderate-duty scenarios.
| Parameter | Spec |
|---|---|
| Bore sizes | 3–100 mm (e.g., 608, 6204, 6308) |
| Material | GCr15 / AISI 52100 rings & balls; cages in steel or PA66 |
| Sealing | Open / ZZ shields / RS-2RS contact seals / low-torque LLB |
| Clearance | CN, C3 (others on request) |
| Tolerance | ISO 492 P0, P6 (≈ ABEC 1, 3) |
| Grease | NLGI 2 multi-purpose or low-noise; food-grade optional |
| Speed rating | Up to ≈ 30,000 rpm (small ZZ); seals reduce speed |
| Dynamic load (Cr) | Example 6204: ≈ 14 kN; Static (Cor): ≈ 7.8 kN |
Origin: XIHUAN ROAD, HEXI TOWN, LINXI COUNTY, HEBEI PROVINCE, CHINA.
Recent lot data (sample 6204-2RS, C3): vibration V value ≤ Z2V2; torque at 1,000 rpm reduced ≈ 15% with LLB vs RS. Many customers say the low-noise fill is worth it—especially in HVAC fans.
| Vendor | Lead Time | Certs | Customization | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARY Bearing | ≈ 2–4 weeks | ISO 9001; RoHS/REACH | Grease, seals, clearance, laser mark | Good Z2V2 availability; fair MOQ |
| Competitor A | 1–2 weeks | ISO 9001 | Limited grease options | Fast but pricier |
| Competitor B | 3–6 weeks | ISO 9001; food-grade options | Seal/clearance flexible | Good for OEM runs |
For low noise, ask for deep groove ball bearing sets with LLB seals and low-bleed grease. For axial-heavy applications, specify C3 (or C4) and verify housing shoulder heights to avoid pinching. In higher temps, PA66 cage might not cut it—go steel or phenolic.
An appliance OEM swapped standard 6203-ZZ to 6203-LLB C3 with low-noise grease on a 1/4 HP motor. Field returns dropped ≈ 42% and sound levels fell by 2–3 dBA. Honestly, the quieter startup was instantly noticeable, even on a noisy line.
References