Ceramic balls use in deep groove ball bearings and cylindrical roller bearings are mainly produced from Silicon Nitride composition. The weight of ceramic balls is approximately up to 40% less than steel ones, depending on size and material. This reduces centrifugal loading and skidding, so hybrid ceramic bearings can operate 20% to 40% faster than conventional bearings. This means that the outer race groove exerts less force inward against the ball as the bearing spins. This reduction in force reduces the friction and rolling resistance. The lighter balls, allow the bearing to spin faster, and uses less energy to maintain its speed.
While ceramic hybrid bearings use ceramic balls in place of steel ones, they are constructed with steel inner and outer rings. The ceramic material itself is stronger than steel and stiffer, which results in increased stresses on the rings, and decreased load capacity. Furthermore the other advantage of ceramic balls is the electrically insulating behavior, which can prevent ‘arcing’ failures if current should be passed through the bearing. Ceramic balls can also be effective in environments where lack of lubrication happen (such as in space applications).