Which material is commonly used to manufacture rolling bearings?

Rolling bearings are primarily manufactured from steel due to its favorable properties, which include high strength, durability, and excellent wear resistance. Steel can endure significant loads and stresses while maintaining dimensional stability, making it ideal for bearing applications, where precision and reliability are crucial. Additionally, steel's ability to be heat treated enhances its hardness and fatigue resistance, further extending the life and performance of rolling bearings under various operational conditions.

While plastic, copper, and aluminum may serve specific applications or provide certain advantages in particular environments, they do not match the overall performance capabilities and applicability of steel in the context of rolling bearings. Plastic, for example, may not provide adequate strength for heavy-load scenarios, while copper and aluminum do not possess the same wear resistance and load-carrying characteristics as steel. Thus, steel remains the preferred material for the construction of rolling bearings in most industrial applications.