Steel, Stainless & Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

What Are Ceramic Bearings Used For?

Ceramic bearings use ceramic balls instead of traditional steel, offering lower rolling resistance, better wear characteristics, and smoother rotation. They're widely used in cycling, motorsports, aerospace, and industrial machinery, where reducing friction and increasing efficiency is essential.

Options include:

• Hybrid ceramic bearings: steel raceways with ceramic balls
• Full ceramic bearings: made entirely from ceramic material, ideal for aggressive environments with high temperatures, chemicals, or moisture

We also supply ceramic bearings with PTFE, PEEK cages, or other low-friction materials, improving resistance to wear and extending bearing life in precision equipment. Explore our full ceramic, steel, and stainless ball selection for more options.

Why Choose Stainless Steel Bearings?

Stainless steel bearings are ideal where long life, moisture resistance, and consistent performance matter. These corrosion-resistant bearings are commonly used in food production, marine applications, medical devices, and humid or washdown environments. Unlike standard steel, stainless bearings won’t rust or degrade when exposed to water or chemicals. They're also suitable for contact with sensitive materials or in clean environments like labs and electronics assembly lines. All stainless steel bearings are supplied in multiple diameters, with shielded or open bearings depending on the application.

What Are Full Ceramic Bearings?

Full ceramic bearings are manufactured entirely from ceramic material, including the balls, rings, and sometimes the cages. These are ideal where full electrical insulation, corrosion resistance, or extreme temperature handling is required.

Key benefits include:

• Zero rust, even in saltwater or marine use
• Low thermal expansion
• Non-magnetic properties
• Reliable at very high speeds

While not always suitable for high shock loads, full ceramic bearings are preferred in industries where friction reduction, weight savings, and chemical resistance are top priorities.

How Do You Select the Right Bearing?

Choosing the correct bearing comes down to understanding your environment, speed, load, and maintenance requirements. Consider:

• Is corrosion a factor? Choose stainless steel or ceramic
• Are you operating in a food, marine, or cleanroom environment?
• Do you need electrical insulation or resistance to chemicals?
• Will the bearing face constant moisture, filters, or sterilisation processes?

If you're unsure, we can help you match the product to your exact application based on materials, cage type, diameter, and load expectations.

Need Help Choosing Ceramic or Stainless Bearings?

If you're not sure which bearing type suits your application, contact Aire Velo Bearings. Our team can help you select the right material, size, and seal for your specific use case. We supply precision bearings to engineers, cyclists, and industries across the UK, with quality you can depend on, no matter the environment. We keep a wide selection of steel, stainless, and ceramic bearings in stock for fast UK dispatch. Whether you're ordering a single replacement or need a full set for a specialist project, we can supply the right size and design quickly, with competitive prices and expert support.

Explore our hub and bottom bracket bearings collection to find the right bearings for your bike or equipment.