What are Cages?

Cages, also known as separators or retainers, are important components of bearings & seals. Cages act as protective enclosures for bearings that hold rolling elements in place so that they remain well-spaced and retain their orientations. Cages come in different varieties of materials, shapes & sizes.

Bearing cages come in different materials including stamped metal (steel, brass), molded plastic (polyamide, acetal, polyetheretherketone, phenolic resin) and machined metal (steel, brass).

Importance of Cages

Bearings cages are extremely important components as they help keep friction to a minimum by ensuring that the bearing is spaced out. This also keeps the overall load evenly distributed. Cages therefore help maintain the proper functioning of the bearings and prevent excessive heat production caused by continuous friction.

Best practices while buying Cages

Cages have to tolerate continuous friction and may even experience corrosion caused by any chemicals. Hence, it is critical to choose the right ones to minimize the extent of harm and damage. Considering the following factors a great place to start:

• Cages are generally available in different materials and finishes. Choosing the right kind of metal for your application and application environment is important.
• Cages come in different grades. Consider the grade of cage material and your given application before buying.
• Since cages can undergo a lot of friction, choose one that offers a long-lasting service life and is highly durable under different conditions.
• Make sure that the cage is abrasion-resistant.
• Choose a cage that is water-resistant and doesn’t react easily with chemicals.