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Airball : when lightweight strength is needed.

Light, Strong, Low Friction 

Our hollow balls provide the low friction surface of a solid ball bearing, but for much less weight.

The result is a smoothly operating surface that can support and move the the heaviest cargo in weight sensitive applications.

Airballs are commonly used in:
  • Aircraft Ball Transfer Units
  • Ship Cargo Decks
  • Palletizers
  • Ball Tables
  • Conveyor Systems
  • Liquid Float Systems
  • Custom Ball Valves

Product Advantages

  • 65% lighter weight than solid balls
  • High surface hardness / fracture toughness
  • Electron Beam or Laser welded
  • Stronger than nylon balls
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Field tested with over 5 million in use
  • Various sizes, materials, grades available
  • 100% USA made

Specifications

General Specifications

Weight 21 grams maximum
Grade ABMA 100 (standard)
Crush Strength 6,000 lbs minimum
Hardness RC 54-60 per MIL-H-6875
Passivation Per MIL-S-5002
Manufacturing Method Stamped, then electron beam or laser welded

Dimensional Specifications

Diameter 0.996" - 0.999"
Wall Thickness 0.048" minimum
Diameter Variation - Ball 0.0001" (Grade 100)
Diameter Variation - Lot 0.0002" (Grade 100)
Spherical Deviation 0.0001" (Grade 100)
Surface Roughness - Ra 0.000005" (Grade 100)

440A Stainless Material Composition

Carbon .60% - .75%
Manganese 1.00% maximum
Silicon 1.00% maximum
Phosphorus .04% maximum
Sulfur .03% maximum
Chromium 16.0% - 18.0%
Molybdenum .75% maximum
Nickel .50% maximum

Manufacturing Process

  • Ball halves are high pressure stamped from a sheet of 440A stainless steel.
  • The halves are electron beam or laser welded together into a "ball blank" with a 100% penetration weld. EB welded balls are joined under high vacuum for a very strong and pure weld. Laser welded balls are joined under an appropriate cover gas to ensure a pure, clean weld.
  • The ball blank is through hardened in a vacuum furnace to ensure strength, toughness and durability.
  • The hardened blank is goes through a grinding process to remove the weld crown and reduce the ball to near its final diameter.
  • Balls are lapped to exact size, grade and finish.
  • Properly sized balls are passivated to increase corrosion resistance.
  • Finished balls are inspected for roundness, size, visual defects, strength and impact resistance.