clear trend in compressor and pump applications is to raise the power density by increasing the rotational speed. To fulfill this requirement, SKF has developed a new range of single-row angular contact ball bearings. The goals have been threefold: to increase the limiting speed by 40%, to reduce the noise levels and to increase the robustness of the bearing in unfavorable operating conditions (shock loads, shaft misalignment, etc.). Apart from these, SKF is helping manufacturers to meet customer demands for High Speed Applications Bearing even higher levels of energy efficiency and reliability.

If a single-row angular contact ball bearing is loaded purely in axial direction, the resulting contact forces between balls and rings become higher with smaller contact angles. When the bearing rotates, centrifugal forces (Fc) cause contact angle changes. The contact points between the inner ring and balls, as well as between the outer ring and balls, will move outward. This effect causes a contact angle variation (∆α) and subsequently NSK 6200z Bearing sliding between balls and rings. When applying the same axial load on single-row angular contact ball bearings with different contact angles, the contact angle variation is much smaller for bearings with smaller contact angles. Fig. 3 shows the contact angle variation of type 7313 single-row bearings with 40° and 25° contact angle at different speeds.