This type is constructed with the inner ring and ball assembly contained within an outer ring which has a spherical raceway. Due to the construction, this bearing type will tolerate a small angular misalignment from deflection or mounting error. Self-aligning ball bearings are suitable for long shafts where accurate positioning of housing bores is difficult.
This type is often used in conjunction with pillow blocks. Cages are made from pressed steel or polyamide resin. This bearing should only be used in light axial load applications due to the small axial support of the rolling elements by the outer ring raceway. The balls make point contact with the raceways (elliptical contact when loaded).
The inner ring shoulders are of equal height (as the outer ring shoulders). Deep Groove ball bearings can sustain radial, axial, or composite loads and because of simple design, this bearing type can be produced to provide both high-running accuracy and high-speed operation. Standard ball retainers (cages) are made from pressed steel. Machined cages are used in bearing operation at very high speed or for large diameter bearings.
