The material selection of the bearing housing should be based on the specific application requirements and working environment.
Cast iron and cast steel are two common materials for bearing seats. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different occasions. Cast iron bearing seats are suitable for low speed, light load and occasions that do not require high precision operation because of their low cost, high hardness, but poor toughness. The brittleness of cast iron means that it may break when impacted, but in ordinary cutting processes (such as tapping), its hard and brittle characteristics can actually make cutting easier.
Cast steel bearing seats are suitable for heavy loads and high speeds due to their high strength and toughness. Cast steel has better ductility and is not easy to break, but its hardness is relatively low compared to cast iron. In cutting, cutting of cast steel usually produces longer chips, which may increase cutting resistance, requiring more force during tapping and may cause higher tool wear.
When choosing the bearing seat material, other factors need to be considered, such as the working environment, service life, etc. For example, if the working environment is harsh, you may need to consider using a stainless steel or plastic bearing seat to enhance corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.
The final choice should be based on a balance of factors such as the equipment's load, speed, working environment, and service life. For example, in high-load, high-speed environments, cast steel has excellent overall performance and is therefore widely used in these situations.
In summary, the choice of cast iron or cast steel bearing housing depends on the specific application requirements and working environment. In low-speed and light-load situations, cast iron may be a cost-effective choice; while in heavy-load and high-speed situations, cast steel may be more suitable.
