Oh! Half of bearings users believe that ABEC ratings and measures of bearings do not matter, while the other half believe it matters. But come to think of it, what exactly does ABEC rating tell you about bearings? Traverse into the world of ABEC rating by not skipping a paragraph.
What Are ABEC Ratings？
The word “ABEC ” is an acronym for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee of the AFBMA (Anti-Friction Bearings Manufacturers Association). The ABEC scale of bearing is the accepted standard for bearing tolerance manufacturing. In addition, all bearing manufacturers must manufacture bearings to at least ABEC 1 standard
How ABEC Ratings Work
The ABEC rating works through this procedure ” The higher the level of the ABEC rating the tighter the tolerance area” thus makes the bearing part to be more precise. Furthermore, high precision and low tolerance are needed for bearings to perform at their maximum RPM, especially in products like high-speed routers that must spin at least 20,000 to 30,000 RPMs.
Types Of ABEC Rating
Generally, there are 5 types of ABEC ratings which are;
- ABEC 1 Approximately Equals to ISO PO
- ABEC 3 Approximately Equals to ISO P6
- ABEC 5 Approximately Equals to ISO P5
- ABEC 7 Approximately Equals to ISO P4
- ABEC 9 Approximately Equals to ISO P2
ABEC Bearing Tolerance Rating Chart
ABEC Bearing Tolerance Rating ChartABEC Scale vs ISO/DIN
ABEC ScaleWhat Is The Measure Of ABEC Rating?
Although the rating of ABEC covers the measurable tolerance dimension of bearing, they do not specify many other criteria like load handling capabilities, noise, ball precision, vibration, material, rockwell hardness, lubrication, and degree of ball and raceway polishing.
Because of the above factors, it is possible that an ABEC 3 classified bearing will perform more smoothly than ABEC 7 bearing. See table below!
| ABEC 1 | ABEC 3 | ABEC 5 | ABEC 7 | ABEC 9 |
| Least expensive | Inexpensive | It’s standard | Very fast | Extremely fast |
| Most durable | Do not roll smoothly/quickly | High speed | Smooth operation | May not be available for daily purchase |
| Least accurate | Suitable for most application | Affordable cost | A bit costly | Very expensive |
| Low quality |
Limitations Of ABEC Rating
While ABEC provide a good standard for quality bearing manufacturers, research and real life experience has proven that ABEC system of rating can be misleading through the following means:
Limited Scope: ABEC do not measure speed and durability which are real-world performance, they only measure dimensional tolerance.
Diverse Skater Needs: ABEC did not care to address the type of bearings that will handle specific stress of inline and roller skaters.
Misleading Metrics: Because ABEC standard is high doesn’t guarantee better performance, other factors that they do not address are more important.
Why Did ABEC Attain A Higher Precision Bearing Standard?
The reason ABEC attained such a higher standard of precision bearing is to give room for smoother operation and sometimes higher speeds than a standard bearing would allow in high precision machinery. In addition, ABEC 1 standard bearings 608ZZ with grease lubrication is rated with a minimum speed of 32,000 RPM, while the one with oil lubrication 38,000 RPM.
How To Choose The Right ABEC Rating For Your Bearing
Choosing the right ABEC rating means you need to understand what the ABEC scale represents. ABEC rating 1 and 3 are the most sold bearings, and they give optimal performance. You will find these bearing on the middle end of the spectrum, in non-precision applications like automotive parts, electric motors, gear boxes, skateboards, only to mention a few.
Bearings with stricter tolerance like ABEC rating 7 and 9 are the most suitable for applications where bearings need to perform at very high RPMs, or in equipment where exact positioning is important. For example, a high-speed router is an example of high precision, ultra-precision, and super or super-high precision because it can surpass 30,000 RPM.
FAQ
How Reliable Is The ABEC Rating?
The reliability of ABEC rating is often debated. Although most people believe that the higher the ABEC rating, the more accurate it’ll be. Nevertheless, be aware that the ABEC rating does not address other factors like quality of the balls and fittings which can also affect the quality of the bearings.
Is There A Lower Grade Than ABEC 1?
No, there is no grade lower than ABEC 1.
Does ABEC Rating Matter For Skateboarding?
The ABEC bearings rating is not really important for skateboarding.
Does The ABEC Grade Of Bearing Change Overtime?
N0, it’s impossible for the ABEC grade of bearings to change overtime unless the bearings are exposed to wear or damage. As you know that the ABEC grade only measures bearings accuracy, it is not dependent on the use of bearings or conditions.
Is The ABEC Grade More Important Or The Quality Of The Materials With Which A Bearing Is Made?
The bearing material and the ABEC grade can affect the bearing performance. Nevertheless, the quality of the material the manufacturer makes is always more important because high quality material can guarantee longer life of the bearings and will offer consistent performance overtime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ABEC rating measures the tolerance and precision levels of bearings, thus giving you a valuable glimpse into the smoother operations of bearings.
