Angular Contact Ball Bearings
Angular contact ball bearings are a specialized type of rolling bearing designed to support combined loads – that is, they can carry both radial loads (perpendicular to the shaft) and significant axial loads (along the shaft) .Unlike standard deep groove ball bearings which can only handle moderate axial forces, angular contact bearings incorporate an offset raceway geometry: the inner and outer ring raceways are displaced relative to each other along the bearing axis, forming a contact angle. This contact angle is the angle between the line of action of the ball-raceway contact force and a plane perpendicular to the shaft. The result is a bearing that can sustain axial loading in one direction (per bearing) in addition to radial loads.
Similar to standard ball bearings, these products can be offered in open, shielded, or sealed configurations for lubrication retention and contaminant protection. Letters like Z or ZZ indicate metal shields on one or both sides of the bearing, while RS/2RS (or RZ/2RZ) indicate rubber seals (contact or low-contact) on one or both sides
At BRK Bearings, we offer the following series of angular contact ball bearings (stainless steel version also available):
Single-Row Angular Contact Ball Bearings
- 7000 Series (Light) – Slim, lightweight bearings with typical contact angles of 15°–40°, designed for high-speed, low-friction applications.
- 7200 Series (Medium) – Versatile bearings with 15°–40° contact angles, balancing speed and load capacity.
- 7300 Series (Heavy) – Higher-capacity single-row bearings featuring 30° or 40° contact angles.
- 7500 Series (Extra Heavy) – Very high-capacity bearings with 40° contact angles.
Double-Row Angular Contact Ball Bearings
- 3200 Series (Light Double-Row) – Compact units with opposing rows set at ~25°–30° contact angles, supporting bi-directional axial and radial load
- 3300 Series (Medium Double-Row) – Robust double-row bearings with ~25°–30° angles per row
Free Consultation & Support
At BRK Bearings, we’re more than just a supplier — we’re your engineering partner. We offer free consultation and technical support to help you select the right bearing solution for your application, no matter the industry and application, and no matter whether you made the purchase or not, for unlimited times.
Characteristics of Angular Contact Ball Bearings
In an angular contact ball bearing, the line of contact between the balls and raceways is at an angle to the radial plane (the plane perpendicular to the shaft). The contact angle (often denoted α) means one side of the bearing supports axial force. A single-row angular contact bearing can therefore support axial load in only one direction, in addition to radial load (here, resisting a rightward axial load).
Because of this one-directional axial capability, angular contact bearings (single row) are often used in pairs or sets so that axial loads can be supported in both directions. The paired bearings are mounted with their contact angles opposing each other (e.g. one facing each direction) to balance loads
Typical contact angles are 15°, 25°, 30°, or 40°, chosen based on the desired trade-off between axial load capacity and speed (larger angles support higher axial loads but reduce maximum speed):
- Smaller contact angle (e.g., 15°) → Better for high-speed radial loads
- Larger contact angle (e.g., 40°) → Better for heavier axial (thrust) loads
Schematic of an angular contact ball bearing showing the contact angle. The inner and outer ring raceways are tilted relative to each other, so radial load and axial load are transferred through the balls at an angle
Single-Row vs. Double-Row Angular Contact Bearings
Angular contact ball bearings come in two primary configurations: single-row and double-row. The fundamental difference lies in their construction and load support capabilities:
- Single-Row Angular Contact Ball Bearings: A single-row design has one set of balls and can support axial thrust in only one direction (the direction of the contact angle). For example, a single-row bearing oriented to take rightward axial load cannot take significant leftward load on its own. Therefore, single-row angular contacts are typically used in pairs or multiplex arrangements to handle thrust in both directions. Common duplex arrangements include back-to-back (letters “DB”), face-to-face (“DF”), or tandem (“DT”) pairings, each arrangement tailoring the load distribution and stiffness.
- Double-Row Angular Contact Ball Bearings: A double-row angular contact bearing integrates two rows of balls into a single assembly, effectively forming the equivalent of a back-to-back pair of single-row bearings within one unit. These bearings can support axial loads in both directions by themselves, as well as radial loads and tilting moments, all while occupying less axial space than two separate single-row bearings mounted back-to-back. The inner and outer ring of a double-row bearing are each one-piece (no need for a pair of separate rings), and the contact angles of the two rows are set in opposite directions.
- Double-row angular contact bearings are advantageous where axial space is limited and a simplified assembly is desired, such as in small electric motor or pump shaft supports and automotive wheel hub units. This comes with some tradeoff on flexibility – e.g. you cannot separately adjust the preload of each row – for convenience and compactness.
- Double-row designs generally have slightly lower contact angles (often ~25–30°) than comparable single-row bearings, to evenly distribute loads between both rows. This can limit their one-direction axial capacity relative to a pair of single 40° bearings, but still provides substantial thrust capacity in both directions
- Summary: A single-row angular contact bearing (or a pair of them) offers design flexibility, on contact angle, preload, or arrangement to tune performance for precision or speed. On the other hand, a double-row angular contact bearing offer a more compact, drop-in solution for supporting a shaft when axial loads occur in both directions
Applications of Angular Contact Ball Bearings
- Machine Tool Spindles – Used in high-speed CNC machines for their rigidity, preload capability, and ability to support both cutting thrust and radial loads with minimal deflection.
- Industry Machineries – Common in centrifugal pumps and axial fans to handle shaft thrust loads and high speeds using single or double-row arrangements.
- Industrial Gearboxes and Transmissions – Support shafts under combined gear mesh loads; often paired to handle thrust, or integrated into compact hub units.
- Electric Motors and Generators – Locate motor shafts under axial load while enabling quiet, high-speed operation; often used on the fixed end.
- Precision Instruments and Robotics – Enable high stiffness and zero play in rotary joints and indexing axes, crucial for repeatability in precision systems.
- Automotive Wheel Hubs – Used in sealed, double-row units to support vehicle weight, braking, and cornering forces in modern front-wheel drive systems.
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