Some frequently used bearing terms are explained here. For a detailed collection of bearing-specific terms and definitions, refer to ISO 5593 Rolling bearings
Symbols
Symbols used in this catalogue are mainly in accordance with ISO standards.
Symbols for boundary dimensions - radial bearings
Symbols for boundary dimensions - thrust bearings
- d: Bore diameter
- D: Outside diameter
- B: Bearing width
- H: Bearing height
- r: Chamfer dimension
- a: Contact angle
Shaft bearing housing system
- Cylindrical roller bearing
- Four-point contact ball bearing
- Housing
- Shaft
- Shaft abutment shoulder
- Shaft diameter
- Shaft seat
- End plate
- Radial shaft seal
- Seal wear ring
- Housing bore diameter
- Housing seat
- Housing cover
- Snap ring
Terminology of Radial bearings
- Inner ring
- Outer ring
- Rolling element: ball, cylindrical roller, needle roller, tapered roller, spherical roller, toroidal roller
- Cage
- Capping device
Seal - made of elastomer
Shield - made of sheet steel - Outer ring outside surface
- Inner ring bore
- Inner ring shoulder surface
- Outer ring shoulder surface
- Snap ring groove
- Snap ring
- Outer ring side face
- Recess for capping device
- Outer ring raceway
- Inner ring raceway
- Recess for capping device
- Inner ring side face
- Chamfer
- Bearing pitch circle diameter
- Total bearing width
- Guide flange
- Retaining flange
- Contact angle
Terminology of Thrust bearings
- Shaft washer
- Rolling element and cage assembly
- Housing washer
- Housing washer with a sphered seat surface
- Seat washer