Steel balls are used in a variety of different applications for manufacturing and distribution of a number of different products. While they can be purchased in a number of different grades and sizes, nickel-plated steel balls are available from several manufacturers and are either magnetized or not magnetized depending on your need. Used in various toys and construction kits, these balls also have functional uses that are rarely regarded unless you are involved in the manufacturing process. Available for purchase in bulk, or small packages, balls are sold on a per ball basis. The higher the quantity purchased, the lower the overall cost per unit. If you are unaware what these balls can be used for, review the different applications used below.
In the auto manufacturing industry, hardened chrome steel balls are used to produce ball bearings at grades of 20. Generally, using high carbon high chrome steel, this form has steel has understandably been renamed as ball bearing steel. With a ball diameter tolerance of .000020 inch and .0005 mm, these balls are a valuable part of the ball bearing manufacturing and production process.
On the bicycle front, steel balls are used for a number of parts. Utilizing grades of either 200 or 500 depending on the part and function, steel high carbon chrome balls are manufactured and hardened at diameters of 1/8, 1/4, 3/16, and 5/32 of an inch. Depending on the manufacturing process, the balls will be cut, cold forged, heat treated, and ground to get the right diameter and finish.
While steel application in the ball form is used in a number of different mechanical industries and applications, they are more often used as agitators. These agitators are placed in a number of different products to keep liquid products mixed and agitated. Agitator balls are an important part of the health and beauty industry as they are found in personal care products like nail polish. Because nail polish is not used on a daily basis, the nonuse causes fluids to coagulate. When the bottle is shaken, the ball agitator helps homogenize the fluid for a free flowing mixture of all the ingredients in the nail polish formula. Because bottles are so small, AISI 316 stainless steel balls are preferred at a grade of 1000 to prevent corrosion from fluids.
Another type of personal care product using the steel ball is those distributed in valves and pump dispensers. The ball must be tolerant to fluids similar to nail polish and will depend on the overall quality of the product. Anything from lotions, detergents, deodorant sprays, colognes, toothpaste pumps and gel pumps, utilize non-magnetic steel balls for higher performance and quality.
Steel balls come in a number of different grades and tolerance that depends entirely upon the application for which it is being used. Find a manufacturer with a quality process and quality balls to ensure accurate grading and tolerance descriptions. With several different manufacturers in the industry, compare both pricing and reviews to narrow down your search.
