Ceramic Ball

"Ceramic balls" are made from ceramics (fine ceramics), and are divided into two types: non-oxide ceramics (silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), silicon carbide (SiC)) and oxide ceramics (alumina (Al₂O₃), zirconia (ZrO₂)). Among them, silicon nitride balls are balls with much higher hardness than ordinary steel balls, with less than half the weight. They have high strength even at high temperatures and have wear resistance, so they are physically stable. They are also excellent in chemical properties such as corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, and insulation.

Type of Materials

Non-oxide Ceramic Balls

Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) Ceramic Balls
Features
  • Lightweight and high temperature strength.
  • Excellent fracture toughness.
  • Strong wear resistance and thermal shock resistance.
  • High heat resistance and mechanical strength.
  • Small thermal expansion rate.
Note
It is attacked by hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and fluorine.
Applications
  • Bearings (ceramic bearings, bearings for machine tools, etc.)
  • Automobile parts (hydraulic lash adjuster, common rail injector, etc.)
  • Wind power generation (generator), etc.
Material Model Number Grade Size (mm) Color
Si₃N₄ JSN-W4C (HIP) Class I (ASTM F2094) 0.4-140 Black
JSN-W4 (HIP) Grey
JSN-05W (HIP) Class II (ASTM F2094) Black
JSN-12 Black
JSN-63 Grey
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Ceramic Ball
Features
  • High hardness, wear resistance, high insulation.
  • Excellent heat resistance (about 1500℃) and high thermal conductivity.
  • Other electrical insulation, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility.
  • Among fine ceramics, it is a cheap material.
Caution
Dissolves in molten salt and molten iron.
Applications
  • Bearings (ceramic bearings, bearings for machine tools, etc.)
  • Automobile parts (hydraulic lash adjusters, common rail injectors, etc.)
  • Wind power generation (generators), etc.
  • Semiconductor manufacturing equipment parts, etc.
Material Model Number Size (mm) Color
SiC SC-HD01 0.8-19.05 Black

Oxide Ceramic Ball

Alumina (Al₂O₃) Ceramic Ball
Features
  • High heat resistance, relatively high thermal conductivity.
  • Excellent mechanical properties.
  • Excellent corrosion resistance.
  • Good electrical insulation.
Caution
Inferior heat shock resistance.
Applications
  • Bearings (ceramic bearings, bearings for machine tools, etc.)
  • Automotive parts (hydraulic lash adjusters, common rail injectors, etc.)
  • For stirring, nozzles, pump parts, sliding parts, grinding materials, grinding plates, and so on
Material Model Number Purity Size (mm) Color
Al₂O₃ AO-3N01 99.7wt% ≥1.0 Yellow
AO-4N01 99.99wt% White
Zirconia (ZrO₂) Ceramic Ball
Features
  • High strength, high fracture toughness.
  • Excellent thermal properties.
  • Chemical resistance.
  • Low thermal conductivity, providing insulation effects.
  • Biocompatible.
Caution
It is severely affected by fluorine.
Applications
  • Bearings (ceramic bearings, bearings for machine tools, etc.)
  • Automotive parts (hydraulic lash adjusters, common rail injectors, etc.)
  • Gas turbines, industrial blades, jewelry parts, etc.
Material Model Number Size (mm) Color
ZrO₂ ZO-HD01 ≥0.1 White

Dimensions and Dimensional Accuracy

Dimensions: 0.8 mm to 1-7/8 (47.6 mm)
※ The above dimensions are standard, but we also manufacture according to other dimensions.

※ Compliant with JIS B1563 (Rolling Bearings - Silicon Nitride Balls) and ISO 3290-2 (Rolling Bearings - Ceramic Balls).
Grade Maximum Diameter Variation
(μm)		 Maximum Sphericity
(μm)		 Maximum Surface Roughness
(μmRa)		 Maximum Inter-Diameter Difference in Lot
(μm)
G3 ≤0.08 ≤0.08 ≤0.01 <0.13
G5 ≤0.13 ≤0.13 ≤0.014 <0.25
G10 ≤0.25 ≤0.25 ≤0.02 <0.5
G16 ≤0.4 ≤0.4 ≤0.025 <0.8
G20 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.032 <1
G24 ≤0.6 ≤0.6 ≤0.04 <1.2
G28 ≤0.7 ≤0.7 ≤0.05 <1.4
G40 ≤1 ≤1 ≤0.06 <2
G60 ≤1.5 ≤1.5 ≤0.08 <3