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Bearing balls are special highly spherical and smooth balls, most commonly used in ball bearings, but also used as components in things like freewheel mechanisms. The balls themselves are commonly referred to as ball bearings.^[1] This is an example of a synecdoche. The balls come in many different grades. These grades are defined by bodies such as the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), a body which sets standards for the precision of bearing balls. They are manufactured in machines designed specially for the job.

In 2008, the United States produced 5.778 billion bearing balls.^[2]

Grade

Bearing balls are manufactured to a specific grade, which defines its geometric tolerances. The grades range from 2000 to 3, where the smaller the number the higher the precision. Grades are written "GXXXX", i.e. grade 100 would be "G100".^[3]^[4] Lower grades also have fewer defects, such as flats, pits, soft spots, and cuts. The surface smoothness is measured in two ways: surface roughness and waviness.^[4]

Size refers to the farthest possible distance between two points on the ball's surface, as measured by two parallel plates in contact with the surface. The starting size is the nominal ball diameter, which is the nominal, or theoretical, ball diameter. The ball size is then determined by measuring the ball diameter variation, which is the difference between the largest and smallest diameter measurement. For a given lot there is a lot diameter variation, which is the difference between the mean diameter of the largest ball and the smallest ball of the lot.^[4]

Sphericity refers to the amount of deviation from a true spherical form (out of roundness).^[4] This is measured by rotating a ball against a linear transducer with a gauge force of less than 4 grams (0.14 oz). The resulting polar graph is then circumscribed with the smallest circle possible and the difference between this circumscribed circle and the nominal ball diameter is the variation.^[4]

Grade tolerances for inch sizes^[4]
Grade	Size range [in]	Sphericity [in]	Lot diameter variation [in]	Nominal ball diameter tolerance [in]	Maximum surface roughness (Ra) [μin]
3	0.006–2	0.000003	0.000003	±0.00003	0.5
5	0.006–6	0.000005	0.000005	±0.00005	0.8
10	0.006–10	0.00001	0.00001	±0.0001	1.0
25	0.006–10	0.000025	0.000025	±0.0001	2.0
50	0.006–10	0.00005	0.00005	±0.0003	3.0
100	0.006–10	0.0001	0.0001	±0.0005	5.0
200	0.006–10	0.0002	0.0002	±0.001	8.0
1000	0.006–10	0.001	0.001	±0.005

Grade tolerances for metric sizes^[4]
Grade	Sphericity [mm]	Lot diameter variation [mm]	Nominal ball diameter tolerance [mm]	Maximum surface roughness (Ra) [μm]
3	0.00008	0.00008	±0.0008	0.012
5	0.00013	0.00013	±0.0013	0.02
10	0.00025	0.00025	±0.0013	0.025
25	0.0006	0.0006	±0.0025	0.051
50	0.0012	0.0012	±0.0051	0.076
100	0.0025	0.0025	±0.0127	0.127
200	0.005	0.005	±0.025	0.203
1000	0.025	0.025	±0.127

Manufacture

The manufacture of bearing balls depends on the type of material the balls are being made from.

Metal

Metal balls start as a wire. The wire is sheared to give a pellet with a volume approximately that of the ball with the desired outer diameter (OD). This pellet is then headed into a rough spherical shape. Next, the balls are fed into a machine that de-flashes them. The machine does this by feeding the balls between two heavy cast iron^[5] or hardened steel plates, called rill plates. One of the plates is held stationary while the other rotates. The top plate has an opening to allow balls to enter and exit the rill plates. These plates have fine circumferential grooves that the balls track in. The balls are run through the machine long enough so that each ball passes through many of these grooves, which ensures each ball is the same size, even if a particular groove is out of specification. The controllable machine variables are the amount of pressure applied, the speed of the plates, and how long the balls are left in the machine.^[6]

During the operation coolant is pumped between the rill plates because the high pressure between the plates and friction creates considerable heat. The high pressure applied to the balls also induces cold working, which strengthens the balls.^[6]

Sometimes the balls are then run through a soft grinding process afterward to improve precision. This is done in the same type of machine, but the rill plates are replaced with grinding stones.^[5]

If the balls are steel they are then heat treated. After heat treatment they are descaled to remove any residue or by-products.^[5]

The balls are then hard ground. They are ground in the same type of machine as used before, but either an abrasive is introduced into the coolant or the rotating plate is replaced with a very hard fine-grain grinding wheel. This step can get the balls within ±0.0001 in (0.0025 mm). If the balls need more precision, then they are lapped, again in the same type of machine. However, this time the rill plates are made of a softer material, usually cast iron, less pressure is applied, the plate is rotated slowly. This step is what gives bearing balls their shiny appearance and can bring the balls between grades 10 and 48.^[5]^[6]^[7]

If even more precision is needed, then proprietary chemical and mechanical processes are usually used.^[5]

The inspection of bearing balls was one of the case studies in Frederick Winslow Taylor's classic Principles of Scientific Management.

Plastic

Plastic bearing balls are made in the same manner as described above.^[6]

Ceramic

Ceramic bearing balls are made of sintered materials that are then ground to size and shape as above. Common materials include: silicon nitride (Si
₃N
₄) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO
₂).^[8]

Materials

Common materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, chrome steel, brass, aluminium, tungsten carbide, platinum, gold, titanium, plastic. Other less common materials include copper, monel, k-monel, lead, silver, glass, and niobium.^[9]

Material comparison for common bearing balls^[10]
Material	UNS 52100	Stainless steel 440C	M50	BG-42	REX-20	440NDUR	Haynes 25	Si₃N₄	BeCu	455	C276
Hardness [HRC]	60	58	62	62	66	60	50	70	40	50	40
Temperature limit [°F]	300	300	400	400	600	300	1200	1500	400	500	1000
Corrosion resistance^{[m 1]}	1	3	1	2	1	4	5	5	1	4	5
Cost^{[m 1]}	1	1	1	2	3	1	5	5	3	2	4
Availability^{[m 1]}^{[clarification needed]}	1	1	2	2	2	4	5	3	3	2	4
Magnetic	Magnetic	Magnetic	Magnetic	Magnetic	Magnetic	Magnetic	Non-magnetic	Non-magnetic	Non-magnetic	Magnetic	Magnetic
Electrical Conductivity	Conductive	Conductive	Conductive	Conductive	Conductive	Conductive	Conductive	Non-conductive	Conductive	Conductive	Conductive
Size limit	None	None	None	None	None	None	1.5 in (38 mm)	No Torque Tube^{[clarification needed]}	None	None	5 in (130 mm)
Relative load capacity^{[m 1]}	3	2	4	4	5	3	1	5	1	1	1
Relative fatigue life^{[m 1]}	3	2	4	4	5	3	1	5	1	1	1

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest

References

^ [1] Merriam Webster
^ MA332Q - Antifriction Bearings, US Census Bureau, 2008.
^ Ball Definitions - The specification defines three parameters: surface integrity, size, and sphericity. The surface integrity refers to surface smoothness, hardness
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ABMA Definitions, archived from the original on 2009-10-08, retrieved 2009-11-16
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Manufacturing, archived from the original on 2009-05-07, retrieved 2009-07-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d How do they get the balls in ball bearings so perfectly round and smooth?, 15 November 2000, retrieved 2009-07-01.
^ Production Process for a standard grade 24, Chrome Steel ball, archived from the original on 2008-05-17, retrieved 2009-07-02.
^ Ley, Wilfried; Wittmann, Klaus; Hallmann, Willi (2009-06-16). Handbook of space technology. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-69739-9.
^ Materials, retrieved 2009-07-03.
^ Ball Material Types, archived from the original on 2008-02-28, retrieved 2010-10-06.

[table_note-11] Where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest

[1] [1] Merriam Webster

[2] MA332Q - Antifriction Bearings, US Census Bureau, 2008.

[3] Ball Definitions - The specification defines three parameters: surface integrity, size, and sphericity. The surface integrity refers to surface smoothness, hardness

[definitions-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ABMA Definitions, archived from the original on 2009-10-08, retrieved 2009-11-16

[abbott_man-5] Manufacturing, archived from the original on 2009-05-07, retrieved 2009-07-02.

[hsw-6] How do they get the balls in ball bearings so perfectly round and smooth?, 15 November 2000, retrieved 2009-07-01.

[7] Production Process for a standard grade 24, Chrome Steel ball, archived from the original on 2008-05-17, retrieved 2009-07-02.

[8] Ley, Wilfried; Wittmann, Klaus; Hallmann, Willi (2009-06-16). Handbook of space technology. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-69739-9.

[9] Materials, retrieved 2009-07-03.

[10] Ball Material Types, archived from the original on 2008-02-28, retrieved 2010-10-06.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[m 1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Machine component most commonly used as the rolling element in ball bearings}}
 {{Distinguish|Ball bearing}}
 {{Globalize|article|USA|2name=the United States|date=October 2014}}
+[[File:Silicon nitride Si3N4 bearing balls 1–20 mm.jpg|thumb|[[Silicon nitride]] bearing balls, in diameters ranging from 1 to 20mm]]
-Bearing '''balls''' are special highly spherical and smooth [[ball]]s, most commonly used in [[ball bearing]]s, but also used as components in things like [[freewheel]] mechanisms.  The balls come in many different ''grades''. These grades are defined by bodies such as the [[American Bearing Manufacturers Association]] (ABMA), a body which sets standards for the precision of bearing balls. They are manufactured in machines designed specially for the job.
+'''Bearing balls''' are special highly spherical and smooth [[ball]]s, most commonly used in [[ball bearing]]s, but also used as components in things like [[freewheel]] mechanisms. The balls themselves are commonly referred to as ball bearings.<ref>''[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20bearing]'' Merriam Webster</ref> This is an example of a [[synecdoche]]. The balls come in many different ''grades''. These grades are defined by bodies such as the [[American Bearing Manufacturers Association]] (ABMA), a body which sets standards for the precision of bearing balls. They are manufactured in machines designed specially for the job.
 In 2008, the United States produced 5.778 billion bearing balls.<ref>{{Citation | title = MA332Q - Antifriction Bearings | year = 2008 | publisher = [[US Census Bureau]] | url = https://www.census.gov/cir/www/332/ma332q/ma332q08.xls}}.</ref>
 ==Grade==
-Bearing balls are manufactured to a specific grade, which defines its geometric [[tolerance (engineering)|tolerances]]. The grades range from 2000 to 3, where the smaller the number the higher the precision. Grades are written "GXXXX", i.e. grade 100 would be "G100".<ref>Ball Definitions - The specification defines three parameters: [[surface integrity]], size, and [[sphericity]]. The surface integrity refers to surface smoothness, hardness</ref><ref name="definitions"/> Lower grades also have fewer defects, such as flats, pits, soft spots, and cuts. The surface smoothness is measured in two ways: [[surface roughness]] and [[waviness]].<ref name="definitions">{{Citation | title = ABMA Definitions | url = http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/ball_terms___definitions.html | accessdate = 2009-11-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091008132626/http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/ball_terms___definitions.html | archive-date = 2009-10-08 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
+Bearing balls are manufactured to a specific grade, which defines its geometric [[tolerance (engineering)|tolerances]]. The grades range from 2000 to 3, where the smaller the number the higher the precision. Grades are written "GXXXX", i.e. grade 100 would be "G100".<ref>Ball Definitions - The specification defines three parameters: [[surface integrity]], size, and [[sphericity]]. The surface integrity refers to surface smoothness, hardness</ref><ref name="definitions"/> Lower grades also have fewer defects, such as flats, pits, soft spots, and cuts. The surface smoothness is measured in two ways: [[surface roughness]] and [[waviness]].<ref name="definitions">{{Citation | title = ABMA Definitions | url = http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/ball_terms___definitions.html | access-date = 2009-11-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091008132626/http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/ball_terms___definitions.html | archive-date = 2009-10-08 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
-Size refers to how tight are on the size,{{what|date=June 2020}} as measured by two parallel plates in contact with the ball surface. The starting size is the ''nominal ball diameter'', which is the [[wikt:nominal|nominal]], or theoretical, ball diameter. The ball size is then determined by measuring the ''ball diameter variation'', which is the difference between the largest and smallest diameter measurement. For a given lot there is a ''lot diameter variation'', which is the difference between the [[mean]] diameter of the largest ball and the smallest ball of the lot.<ref name="definitions"/>
+Size refers to the farthest possible distance between two points on the ball's surface, as measured by two parallel plates in contact with the surface. The starting size is the ''nominal ball diameter'', which is the [[wikt:nominal|nominal]], or theoretical, ball diameter. The ball size is then determined by measuring the ''ball diameter variation'', which is the difference between the largest and smallest diameter measurement. For a given lot there is a ''lot diameter variation'', which is the difference between the [[mean]] diameter of the largest ball and the smallest ball of the lot.<ref name="definitions"/>
-Sphericity, or ''deviation from spherical form'',<ref name="definitions"/> refers to how much the ball deviates from a true spherical form (out of roundness). This is measured by rotating a ball against a linear transducer with a gauge force of less than {{convert|4|g|oz}}. The resulting [[polar graph]] is then [[circumscribe]]d with the smallest circle possible and the difference between this circumscribed circle and the nominal ball diameter is the variation.<ref name="definitions"/>
+''[[Sphericity]]'' refers to the amount of deviation from a true spherical form (out of roundness).<ref name="definitions"/> This is measured by rotating a ball against a linear transducer with a gauge force of less than {{convert|4|g|oz}}. The resulting [[polar graph]] is then [[circumscribe]]d with the smallest circle possible and the difference between this circumscribed circle and the nominal ball diameter is the variation.<ref name="definitions"/>
 {| class="wikitable" border="1"
@@ Line 37: / Line 39: @@
 |+ Grade tolerances for metric sizes<ref name="definitions"/>
 |-
-! Grade !! Sphericity [mm] !! Lot diameter variation [mm] !! Nominal ball diameter tolerance [mm] !! Maximum surface roughness (Ra) [µm]
+! Grade !! Sphericity [mm] !! Lot diameter variation [mm] !! Nominal ball diameter tolerance [mm] !! Maximum surface roughness (Ra) [μm]
 |-
 | 3 || 0.00008 || 0.00008 || ±0.0008 || 0.012
@@ Line 60: / Line 62: @@
 ===Metal===
+[[File:Local museum Eltmann, manufacture of bearing balls, spherical grinding 01.jpg|thumb|Rill plates]]
-[[Metal]] balls start as a [[wire]]. The wire is [[shearing (metalworking)|sheared]] to give a pellet with a volume approximately that of the ball with the desired [[wikt:outer diameter|outer diameter]] (OD). This pellet is then [[heading (metalworking)|headed]] into a rough spherical shape. Next, the balls are then fed into a machine that [[de-flash]]es them. The machine does this by feeding the balls between two heavy [[cast iron]]<ref name="abbott man"/> or [[hardened steel]] plates, called ''rill plates''. One of the plates is held stationary while the other rotates. The top plate has an opening to allow balls to enter and exit the rill plates. These plates have fine circumferential grooves that the balls track in. The balls are run through the machine long enough so that each ball passes through many of these grooves, which ensures each ball is the same size, even if a particular groove is out of specification. The controllable machine variables are the amount of pressure applied, the speed of the plates, and how long the balls are left in the machine.<ref name="hsw">{{Citation | title = How do they get the balls in ball bearings so perfectly round and smooth? | url = http://www.howstuffworks.com/question513.htm | accessdate = 2009-07-01}}.</ref>
+[[Metal]] balls start as a [[wire]]. The wire is [[shearing (metalworking)|sheared]] to give a pellet with a volume approximately that of the ball with the desired [[wikt:outer diameter|outer diameter]] (OD). This pellet is then [[heading (metalworking)|headed]] into a rough spherical shape. Next, the balls are fed into a machine that [[de-flash]]es them. The machine does this by feeding the balls between two heavy [[cast iron]]<ref name="abbott man"/> or [[hardened steel]] plates, called ''rill plates''. One of the plates is held stationary while the other rotates. The top plate has an opening to allow balls to enter and exit the rill plates. These plates have fine circumferential grooves that the balls track in. The balls are run through the machine long enough so that each ball passes through many of these grooves, which ensures each ball is the same size, even if a particular groove is out of specification. The controllable machine variables are the amount of pressure applied, the speed of the plates, and how long the balls are left in the machine.<ref name="hsw">{{Citation | title = How do they get the balls in ball bearings so perfectly round and smooth? | date = 15 November 2000 | url = http://www.howstuffworks.com/question513.htm | access-date = 2009-07-01}}.</ref>
 During the operation [[coolant]] is pumped between the rill plates because the high pressure between the plates and [[friction]] creates considerable heat. The high pressure applied to the balls also induces [[cold working]], which strengthens the balls.<ref name="hsw"/>
-Sometimes the balls are then run through a ''soft [[Grinding (abrasive cutting)|grinding]]'' process afterward to improve precision. This is done in the same type of machine, but the rill plates are replaced with [[grinding stone]]s.<ref name="abbott man">{{Citation | title = Manufacturing | url = http://www.abbottball.com/about-abbott/today/manufacturing.php | accessdate = 2009-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090507081416/http://www.abbottball.com/about-abbott/today/manufacturing.php | archive-date = 2009-05-07 | url-status = dead }}.</ref>
+Sometimes the balls are then run through a ''soft [[Grinding (abrasive cutting)|grinding]]'' process afterward to improve precision. This is done in the same type of machine, but the rill plates are replaced with [[grinding stone]]s.<ref name="abbott man">{{Citation | title = Manufacturing | url = http://www.abbottball.com/about-abbott/today/manufacturing.php | access-date = 2009-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090507081416/http://www.abbottball.com/about-abbott/today/manufacturing.php | archive-date = 2009-05-07 | url-status = dead }}.</ref>
 If the balls are steel they are then [[heat treating|heat treated]]. After heat treatment they are [[descaling|descaled]] to remove any residue or by-products.<ref name="abbott man"/>
-The balls are then ''hard ground''. They are ground in the same type of machine as used before, but either an abrasive is introduced into coolant or the rotating plate is replaced with a very hard fine-grain [[grinding wheel]]. This step can get the balls within ±{{convert|0.0001|in|mm|abbr=on}}. If the balls need more precision then they are [[lapping|lapped]], again in the same type of machine. However, this time the rill plates are made of a softer material, usually cast iron, less pressure is applied, the plate is rotated slowly. This step is what gives bearing balls their shiny appearance and can bring the balls between grades 10 and 48.<ref name="abbott man"/><ref name="hsw"/><ref>{{Citation | title = Production Process for a standard grade 24, Chrome Steel ball | url = http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_production_proce.html | accessdate = 2009-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080517102637/http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_production_proce.html | archive-date = 2008-05-17 | url-status = dead }}.</ref>
+The balls are then ''hard ground''. They are ground in the same type of machine as used before, but either an abrasive is introduced into the coolant or the rotating plate is replaced with a very hard fine-grain [[grinding wheel]]. This step can get the balls within ±{{convert|0.0001|in|mm|abbr=on}}. If the balls need more precision, then they are [[lapping|lapped]], again in the same type of machine. However, this time the rill plates are made of a softer material, usually cast iron, less pressure is applied, the plate is rotated slowly. This step is what gives bearing balls their shiny appearance and can bring the balls between grades 10 and 48.<ref name="abbott man"/><ref name="hsw"/><ref>{{Citation | title = Production Process for a standard grade 24, Chrome Steel ball | url = http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_production_proce.html | access-date = 2009-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080517102637/http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_production_proce.html | archive-date = 2008-05-17 | url-status = dead }}.</ref>
-If even more precision is needed then proprietary chemical and mechanical processes are usually used.<ref name="abbott man"/>
+If even more precision is needed, then proprietary chemical and mechanical processes are usually used.<ref name="abbott man"/>
 The [[inspection]] of bearing balls was one of the case studies in [[Frederick Winslow Taylor]]'s classic ''Principles of Scientific Management''.
@@ Line 80: / Line 83: @@
 [[File:Zirconium dioxide ZrO2 bearing balls.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Zirconium dioxide ZrO<sub>2</sub> bearing balls]]
-Ceramic bearing balls are made of [[sintered]] materials that are then ground to size and shape as above. Common materials include: [[silicon nitride]] ({{chem|Si|3|N|4}}) and [[zirconium dioxide]] ({{chem|ZrO|2}}).<ref>{{Cite journal | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vR7pg0xJQ_UC&pg=PA234 | title = Handbook of space technology | isbn = 978-0-470-69739-9 | author1 = Ley | first1 = Wilfried | last2 = Wittmann | first2 = Klaus | last3 = Hallmann | first3 = Willi | date = 2009-06-16}}</ref>
+Ceramic bearing balls are made of [[sintered]] materials that are then ground to size and shape as above. Common materials include: [[silicon nitride]] ({{chem|Si|3|N|4}}) and [[zirconium dioxide]] ({{chem|ZrO|2}}).<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vR7pg0xJQ_UC&pg=PA234 | title = Handbook of space technology | isbn = 978-0-470-69739-9 | last1 = Ley | first1 = Wilfried | last2 = Wittmann | first2 = Klaus | last3 = Hallmann | first3 = Willi | date = 2009-06-16| publisher = Wiley }}</ref>
 ==Materials==
-Common materials include [[carbon steel]], [[stainless steel]], [[chrome steel]], [[brass]], [[aluminium]], [[tungsten carbide]], [[platinum]], [[gold]], [[titanium]], [[plastic]]. Other less common materials include [[copper]], [[monel]], [[k-monel]], [[lead]], [[silver]], [[glass]], and [[niobium]].<ref>{{Citation | title = Materials | url = http://www.abbottball.com/materials/ | accessdate = 2009-07-03}}.</ref>
+Common materials include [[carbon steel]], [[stainless steel]], [[chrome steel]], [[brass]], [[aluminium]], [[tungsten carbide]], [[platinum]], [[gold]], [[titanium]], [[plastic]]. Other less common materials include [[copper]], [[monel]], [[k-monel]], [[lead]], [[silver]], [[glass]], and [[niobium]].<ref>{{Citation | title = Materials | url = http://www.abbottball.com/materials/ | access-date = 2009-07-03}}.</ref>
 {| class="wikitable" border="1"
-|+ Material comparison for common bearing balls<ref>{{Citation | title = Ball Material Types | url = http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_material_types.html  | accessdate = 2010-10-06 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080228071855/http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_material_types.html |archivedate = 2008-02-28}}.</ref>{{Copyright violation|date=June 2020|sure=yes|Seems to be a verbatim rip, right down to the confusion; copyright 2005 Hoover Precision Products, Inc., All Rights Reserved}}
+|+ Material comparison for common bearing balls<ref>{{Citation | title = Ball Material Types | url = http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_material_types.html  | access-date = 2010-10-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080228071855/http://www.hooverprecision.com/html/hoover_-_ball_material_types.html |archive-date = 2008-02-28}}.</ref>
 |-
-! Material !! UNS 52100 !! Stainless steel 440C !! M50 !! BG-42 !! REX-20 !! 440NDUR !! Haynes 25 !! Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> !! BECU !! 455 !! C276
+! Material !! UNS 52100 !! Stainless steel 440C !! M50 !! BG-42 !! REX-20 !! 440NDUR !! Haynes 25 !! [[Silicon nitride|Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>]]!! [[Beryllium copper|BeCu]]!! 455 !! C276
 |-
 ! Hardness [HRC]
@@ Line 112: / Line 115: @@
 |-
 ! Size limit
-| None || None || None || None || None || None || {{convert|1.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} || No Torque Tube{{what|reason=either seems to be a cryptic way to say 'no size limit if procured from Torque Tube' or 'no size limit in application as part of a [[torque tube]]'|date=June 2020}} || None || None || {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
+| None || None || None || None || None || None || {{convert|1.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} || No Torque Tube{{clarify|reason=either seems to be a cryptic way to say 'no size limit if procured from Torque Tube' or 'no size limit in application as part of a [[torque tube]]'|date=June 2020}} || None || None || {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
 |-
 ! Relative load capacity<ref group=m name="table note"/>
@@ Line 122: / Line 125: @@
 {{reflist|group=m}}
-==Atypical uses==
-One interesting atypical use for bearing balls is at [[San Francisco International Airport]].  The building is supported by 267 columns, each of which rests on a steel ball with a diameter of {{convert|5|ft|m}}.  The ball sits in a concave foundation.  If an [[earthquake]] occurs, the ground can move up to {{convert|20|in|m}} in any direction, as the columns roll on their bases.  This is an effective way to separate the building from the movement of the ground.  After the earthquake has ended, the columns are re-centered on their bases by the force of gravity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/bearing4.htm|title=Some Interesting Uses - How Bearings Work|work=HowStuffWorks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/about/history/nifty50/earthquakemitigation.jsp|title=Earthquake Mitigation - Nifty 50|work=National Science Foundation}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 134: / Line 134: @@
 <!-- For manufacturing section -->
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Ball (Bearing)}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Ball Bearing}}
 [[Category:Bearings (mechanical)]]
 [[Category:Hardware (mechanical)]]