SMB Bearings Ltd - About Us

Our metric miniature bearings and inch miniature bearings (mini bearings) are available open, shielded or sealed, with bore sizes as small as 0.6mm. The smaller sizes are sometimes referred to as instrument bearings or micro bearings. We provide miniature bearings for applications as varied as food processing and electric motor bearings. We provide customers with model bearings for remote-controlled cars, thin section bearings for bicycles, and skateboard bearings designed to provide a longer, smoother ride.

Our entire series of miniature bearings can be supplied in SAE52100 chrome steel and stainless steel. Certain sizes can be supplied with the TW high-speed synthetic cage and most miniature bearings and small bearings can be supplied flanged.

As the leading supplier of miniature bearings in the UK, SMB Bearings can supply to order as hybrid types using steel rings and ceramic balls. Most sizes are available in stainless steel or passivated stainless steel for more corrosive environments.

Flanged miniature bearings are available open, shielded or sealed.with bore sizes as small as 1mm or 0.04 inches. The smaller sizes are sometimes referred to as instrument bearings. Available in SAE52100 chrome steel and AISI440C or KS440 (ACD34/X65Cr13) stainless steel, these metric sized deep groove radial flanged miniature bearings can withstand heavy radial loads and moderate thrust loads in both directions. Flanged miniature bearings have an outer ring flange to facilitate location in a housing.

Many of these flanged miniature bearings can be supplied to order with ceramic balls (hybrid bearings). Most sizes are available in stainless steel or passivated stainless steel for more corrosive environments

Stainless steel bearings are available open, shielded or sealed.and, in addition to most miniature and thin section bearings being available in stainless steel, these popular metric types come with bore sizes from 10mm upwards. These corrosion resistant bearings are also available shielded or sealed (ZZ or 2RS) with food grade lubricants or shielded (ZZ) with very high temperature grease (up to 270C). Most of the EZO rubber sealed stainless steel bearings also have the TW high speed synthetic retainer. We can supply most of these sizes passivated for increased corrosion resistance in, for example, marine environments. Corrosion resistant bearings can also be supplied in plastic or 316 grade stainless steel for very corrosive environments but may be subject to minimum order quantities.

For applications where space is limited, thin-section bearings as listed below are available open, shielded or sealed. Thin-section bearings can be supplied in SAE52100 chrome steel and AISI440C or KS440 (ACD34/X65Cr13) stainless steel.. Like most deep groove radial ball bearings, thin-section bearings can withstand heavy radial loads and moderate thrust loads in both directions. Some of the smaller thin-section bearing sizes here are available with the TW high speed synthetic retainer.

Flanged thin-section bearings are available open, shielded or sealed. Flanged thin-section bearings can be supplied in SAE52100 chrome steel and AISI440C or KS440 (ACD34/X65Cr13) stainless steel. These flanged thin-section bearing types have a flange on the outer ring to facilitate location in a housing and and like most deep groove radial ball bearings can withstand heavy radial loads and moderate thrust loads in both directions.

Plastic corrosion resistant bearings are manufactured with different materials but the most commonly stocked types have acetal resin rings & balls (POM) and nylon cages (PA66). The balls are normally 316 grade stainless (316 suffix) or glass (GL suffix). These bearings are generally used as corrosion resistant bearings or non magnetic bearings. We can supply-to-order corrosion resistant plastic bearings with rings, balls and cage made of different materials from the more corrosion resistant Polypropylene to the very corrosion resistant and high temperature PTFE and PEEK. Standard plastic bearings are only suitable for low loads and low speeds and should not be used in temperatures greater than 90C. PEEK and PTFE can be used up to 260C. We normally stock our standard plastic bearings open but they may also be supplied as ZRS with one acetal shield and one rubber seal.

Our stock electric motor ball bearings are rated EMQ2 (ZV3) for very low noise or low vibration applications. Various radial play groups can be supplied but the most commonly stocked are CN (standard) radial play or C3 (loose) radial play. Usually supplied in SAE52100 chrome steel, our electric motor bearings are individually tested before approval. These deep groove radial ball bearings can withstand heavy radial loads and moderate thrust loads in both directions. Many other sizes can be supplied as low noise but these are the most commonly used.

Miniature thrust bearings (or axial bearings) are available with bore sizes as small as 3mm. Miniature thrust bearings are normally supplied in SAE52100 chrome steel with brass retainers but can also be manufactured in stainless steel (possibly subject to minimum requirements). Miniature thrust bearings can withstand axial or thrust loads only. There are separate types of miniature thrust bearing with either flat washers or the more popular type with washers incorporating a groove or raceway for heavier loads. The grooved type have one washer with a slightly larger bore to allow it to locate in the housing while the other washer has a smaller OD to locate on the shaft.

We offer a full re-lubrication service for either our own miniature bearings or customer supplied bearings. We have many years of experience in degreasing and re-lubricating stainless steel, chrome steel, and hybrid bearings with customer specified lubricants. Every day, our customers require specialised lubricants designed to handle everything from food safe applications to low torque conditions. We regularly supply our bearings or your own bearings with all types of oils and greases including high or low temperature lubricants, military spec lubricants, food grade or waterproof lubricants, vacuum lubricants and dry coatings