Self Aligning Ball Bearings

Self Aligning Ball Bearings are designed to accommodate angular misalignment between the shaft and housing. Their spherical outer ring raceway allows the inner ring and two rows of balls to adjust slightly, helping the bearing maintain smooth rotation when shaft deflection, housing deformation, or mounting errors occur.

Also known as a self-aligning ball bearing, this bearing type is particularly suitable for applications where accurate shaft alignment is difficult to maintain.

Key Features

• Self-aligning design: Accommodates small angular misalignment between shaft and housing.
• Double-row structure: Provides good radial load capacity and stable operation.
• Low friction: Ball rolling elements support smooth and efficient rotation.
• Versatile configurations: Available with different bore sizes, clearances, cages, and seals.
• Wide applications: Suitable for conveyors, agricultural machinery, textile equipment, fans, blowers, and general industrial machinery.

Self-Aligning Bearing Structure

The main components include the inner ring, spherical outer ring, two rows of balls, cage, and lubricant. The spherical raceway of the outer ring is the key feature that gives the self-aligning bearing its alignment capability.

Compared with a standard radial ball bearing, a self aligning ball bearing can better accommodate installation errors and shaft deflection.

Self-Aligning Ball Bearing Applications

Self-aligning ball bearings are commonly used in:

Self-Aligning Ball Bearing Catalogue

When selecting a self aligning ball bearing, check the following specifications:

• Bearing number
• Bore diameter
• Outside diameter
• Width
• Basic dynamic load rating
• Basic static load rating
• Operating speed
• Internal clearance
• Seal type
• Cage material

LILY can help customers select a suitable bearing based on an existing bearing number, drawing, shaft size, load, speed, and operating conditions.

Self Aligning Ball Bearing vs. Other Bearing Types

A self aligning roller bearing or self aligning spherical roller bearing may be considered for applications requiring higher radial load capacity. Other products, such as a self-aligning plain bearing, self aligning sleeve bearing, self aligning flange bearing, or self aligning linear bearing, are designed for different motion and mounting requirements.

For example, spherical roller bearing self aligning designs are generally intended for heavier loads, while self-aligning ball bearings provide a combination of misalignment compensation, moderate load capacity, and smooth rotation.

Customers searching for SKF self aligning ball bearing, FAG self aligning ball bearing, SKF self aligning roller bearing, or SKF self aligning bearing can provide the original bearing number to LILY for dimensional and application-based replacement evaluation.

What Is a Self Aligning Bearing?

A self-aligning bearing is a bearing that can accommodate a certain amount of angular misalignment between the shaft and housing. A double row self aligning ball bearing achieves this through its spherical outer raceway and two rows of balls.

For applications involving high loads, customers may also consider a self aligning tapered roller bearing or spherical roller bearing depending on the load and operating conditions.

Why Choose LILY?

LILY supplies self aligning ball bearings for industrial and OEM applications, with support for standard and customized requirements.

We can assist with:

• Bearing selection
• Replacement bearings
• Dimensional matching
• OEM requirements
• Custom specifications
• Small-batch orders

Send us your bearing number, drawing, or application requirements to find the right self aligning ball bearing for your equipment.