limitations of Ceramic ball bearings

A Ceramic Hybrid Ball Bearing is a precision bearing in which one or all of its components are made of ceramic elements from silicon nitride. Silicon nitride is a highly processed silica and ceramic material, similar to the heat absorbing, highly resilient tiles on the Space Shuttle. These tiles are used to line the heat shield of the Space Shuttle, as they protect it from the 2500 plus degrees F. extremes of re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. The use of Ceramics for bearing components results in a far superior product over traditional all steel ball bearings.
 have significant drawbacks and limitations. Like all ceramics, the silicon-nitride balls have a low tensile strength, which is a fundamental material property. Ceramic balls made of silicon nitride. Types include miniature, machine tools, instrument, angular contact, cylindrical roller, needle roller, linear & precision rod end bearings. Ceramic Ball bearings (made of silicon nitride, zirconia oxide and alumina oxide) Ceramic ball bearing are kept in our stock series. They are advantageous in having a longer service life, lower friction resistance, higher seizure resistance, higher corrosion resistance, higher rigidity, higher temperature resistance ( up to 800C) lightweight (40% of bearing steel), non magnetic, and insulated.

However ,are typically constructed with a ferrous inner and outer ring or race with ceramic  balls in the place of steel. Ceramic bearings offer many advantages over all steel bearings, such as higher speed and acceleration capability, increased stiffness,  lower friction and more. Ceramic balls are also nonconductive. Ceramic bearings are available in all standard industry configurations such as, angular bearings, thrust bearing, pillow block bearing, needle bearings, and roller bearings.