Which type of bearing is most commonly used for high-speed applications?

Ball bearings are the most commonly used type of bearing for high-speed applications. This is primarily due to their design, which allows for reduced friction between the moving parts. The balls inside the raceways of a ball bearing roll smoothly, which minimizes resistance to motion. This rolling action is particularly favorable in high-speed environments, where maintaining low friction is critical for efficiency and longevity of the bearing.

Additionally, ball bearings can handle both radial and axial loads, although they excel at radial loads in high-speed applications. Their compact size and lightweight design further contribute to their suitability for high-speed machinery, as they facilitate quicker accelerations and decelerations.

In contrast, other bearing types, such as roller bearings, are generally better suited for applications that require a higher load-bearing capacity rather than high speeds. Thrust bearings are explicitly designed for managing axial loads, and sliding bearings tend to have higher friction and wear, making them less ideal for high-speed operations. Therefore, ball bearings stand out as the optimal choice in high-speed applications due to their effective design and performance characteristics.