Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) Balls
Ball Bearing
Ultra-Strong, Lightweight & High-Temperature Resistant
Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) balls from Atlas Ball & Bearing deliver exceptional strength-to-weight performance, superior wear resistance, and excellent thermal shock resistance — making them ideal for high-speed, high-precision, and high-temperature applications.
Manufactured from advanced engineering ceramic, Si₃N₄ balls maintain outstanding dimensional stability under heavy loads and extreme operating conditions. They significantly outperform traditional steel balls where reduced weight, lower friction, and enhanced durability are critical.
150
Precision Ball Diameter
Why Choose Silicon Nitride Balls?
Silicon nitride is one of the most advanced technical ceramics available. Its unique microstructure provides exceptional fracture toughness, high strength, and excellent resistance to thermal shock, wear, and corrosion.
These properties make Si₃N₄ balls the preferred solution for high-performance bearings, aerospace systems, and demanding mechanical environments where reliability and longevity are essential.
Key Benefits
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Extremely high strength-to-weight ratio
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Outstanding wear and fatigue resistance
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Excellent thermal shock resistance
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Performs reliably at high temperatures
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Low density for reduced centrifugal forces
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Low friction for high-speed applications
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Excellent corrosion and chemical resistance
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Electrically insulating and non-magnetic
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Long service life compared with steel
Manufacturing & Supply
We are capable of manufacturing and supplying loose silicon nitride ceramic balls in nearly every variation of grade, maintaining an extensive stock with sizes ranging from 0.2mm to 150mm in diameter.
Please feel free to rate our products and service or send us your comments by using our form opposite →
Additionally, we offer a bespoke ball manufacturing service, which follows the same process controls and traceability but uses a customer’s own material. For further details, please email us or call +44 (0) 1922 710515.
Applications
The exceptional strength, lightweight nature, and thermal performance of silicon nitride balls make them critical components in advanced engineering systems.
Typical applications include:
High-speed and hybrid ceramic bearings
Aerospace and defence systems
Electric motors and spindles
Turbochargers and automotive components
Mechanical seals and pump assemblies
Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
High-temperature industrial machinery
Precision instruments and robotics
Si₃N₄ balls are available in various grades to meet specific requirements for surface finish, load capacity, and operating environment.
Why Atlas Ball & Bearing?
UK manufacturer and worldwide supplier of precision ceramic balls
Large stock range with rapid domestic and international delivery
Extensive expertise in advanced engineering ceramics
Custom manufacturing options and technical guidance available
Reliable quality, accuracy, and full material traceability
Related Materials
Explore other ceramic balls in the Atlas Ball range:
Useful terms and definitions
Batch or Lot:
A defined quantity of balls manufactured under conditions presumed to be uniform and which is considered an entity.
Nominal Ball Diameter:
The diameter value that is used for the general identification of a ball size.
Single Ball Diameter:
The distance between two parallel planes tangential to the actual ball surface.
Diameter Tolerance per Batch:
The allowed difference between the smallest measured ball diameter and the largest ball diameter within the same batch or lot quantity.
Sphericity:
A measure of roundness expressed as the difference between the measured roundness of a ball and a theoretically perfectly round ball.
Surface Finish or Roughness:
A measure of the texture of a surface. It is quantified by the vertical deviations of the actual surface from its ideal form. If these deviations are large, the surface is rough; if they are small, the surface is smooth.
Ball Grades
| Grade | Diameter Tolerance per Ball | Sphericity | Diameter Tolerance per Unit Container | Basic Diameter Tolerance | Maximum Surface Roughness Micro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inch | µ | Inch | µ | Inch | µ | Inch | µ | Inch | µ | |
| 3 | .000003 | 0.076 | .000003 | 0.076 | .000005 | 0.127 | ±.00003 | ± 0.076 | 0.5 | 0.013 |
| More details about Grade 3... | ||||||||||
| 5 | .000005 | 0.127 | .000005 | 0.127 | .00001 | 0.25 | ±.00005 | ± 0.127 | 0.8 | 0.02 |
| More details about Grade 5... | ||||||||||
| 10 | .000010 | 0.25 | .000010 | 0.25 | .00002 | 0.51 | ±.0001 | ± 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.025 |
| More details about Grade 10... | ||||||||||
| 15 | .000015 | 0.38 | .000015 | 0.38 | .00003 | 0.76 | ±.0001 | ± 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.03 |
| More details about Grade 15... | ||||||||||
| 25 | .000025 | 0.63 | .000025 | 0.63 | .00005 | 1.27 | ±.0001 | ± 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.038 |
| More details about Grade 25... | ||||||||||
| 50 | .00005 | 1.27 | .00005 | 1.27 | .0001 | 2.5 | ±.0002 | ± 5 | 3.0 | 0.075 |
| More details about Grade 50... | ||||||||||
| 100 | .0001 | 2.5 | .0001 | 2.5 | .0002 | 5 | ±.0005 | ± 5 | 5.0 | 0.125 |
| More details about Grade 100... | ||||||||||
| 200 | .0002 | 5 | .0002 | 5 | .0004 | 10 | ±.0010 | ± 10 | 8.0 | 0.2 |
| More details about Grade 200... | ||||||||||
| 300 | .0003 | 7.5 | .0003 | 7.5 | .0006 | 15 | ±.0015 | ± 37.5 | N/A | N/A |
| More details about Grade 300... | ||||||||||
| 500 | .0005 | 12.5 | .0005 | 12.5 | .001 | 25 | ±.002 | ± 50 | N/A | N/A |
| More details about Grade 500... | ||||||||||
| 1000 | .001 | 25 | .001 | 25 | .002 | 50 | ±.005 | ± 125 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| More details about Grade 1000... | ||||||||||
| 2000 | .002 | 50 | .002 | 50 | .004 | 100 | ±.005 | ± 125 | N/A | N/A |
| More details about Grade 2000... | ||||||||||
Sample Our Work!
Take the first step towards precision and quality with our expert services. At Atlas Ball & Bearing, we’re committed to delivering top-notch precision balls and rollers for a wide range of industries, including gas, oil, medical, and transportation. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with custom solutions tailored to your specific needs. Experience the Atlas Ball & Bearing difference now!