Customized Al₂O₃ Ruby Bearings: Tailored for Precision Instruments and Watch Movements

Customized ruby bearings are crafted from chromium-doped synthetic corundum (Al₂O₃), which gives them their characteristic red hue. Through precision machining, these bearings can be formed into various geometries, including spherical, conical, and straight-hole shapes. As essential components in precision mechanical systems, ruby bearings offer extremely low friction, exceptional dimensional stability, high wear resistance, and extended service life. They are capable of reliable operation in high-temperature, corrosive, and vibration-intensive environments, making them the ideal choice for precision instruments and high-sensitivity devices.

Ruby bearings find widespread applications in watch movements, metering instruments, aerospace navigation systems, and other fields that demand ultra-stable mechanical support and micro-scale friction reduction.

• High Hardness: With a Mohs hardness of 9 and a Knoop hardness of approximately 1800, ruby bearings far outperform metal bearings in terms of wear resistance.
• Low Friction Coefficient: The friction coefficient between ruby and steel ranges from 0.10 to 0.15, significantly reducing frictional losses and enhancing responsiveness.
• Corrosion Resistance: The stable alumina crystal structure of ruby bearings can withstand acids, alkalis, oxidation, and moisture.

• High-Temperature Resistance: Ruby bearings operate stably at temperatures above 800°C, exhibiting low thermal expansion and excellent thermal shock stability.
• Lubrication-Free Design: The extremely smooth crystal surface of ruby bearings minimizes the need for long-term lubrication.
• Fatigue Resistance: The dense crystalline lattice of ruby bearings ensures very low wear and deformation under continuous micro-loading conditions.

• Low-Load, High-Sensitivity Systems: Ruby bearings are ideal for use in watch pivots, escapement wheels, micro-meter mechanisms, and galvanometer pointers.
• Customizable Geometry: Available in spherical, conical, ring-type, and straight-hole forms, ruby bearings can be tailored to meet specific design requirements.
• Consistent Performance: Ruby bearings offer long-term reliability even in demanding environments such as those with high humidity, high temperatures, or corrosive media.

Ruby bearings are used in balance wheel pivots, escape wheels, and gear train pivots in watch movements. A typical mechanical watch employs 17 to 25 ruby jewels to minimize friction, improve accuracy, and extend the service life of the watch.

Ruby bearings are applied in galvanometers, micrometers, gyroscopes, high-sensitivity sensors, and metrology equipment to ensure smooth motion, low drift, and superior stability.

Ruby bearings are utilized in high-precision navigation systems, stabilized platforms, and vibration-intensive instruments that require long-term accuracy and environmental resistance in military and aerospace applications.

Generally, no. The polished crystal surface of ruby bearings provides naturally low friction, allowing for lubrication-free operation in many applications.

Yes. Ruby is chemically inert and highly resistant to corrosion, extreme temperatures, and humidity, making it suitable for use in aerospace, laboratory, and industrial environments.

Yes. Their low friction and excellent dimensional stability enable ruby bearings to perform well in high-speed, micro-rotational systems such as watch escapements and micro-motors.

ZMSH specializes in high-tech development, production, and sales of special optical glass and new crystal materials. Our products serve optical electronics, consumer electronics, and the military. We offer Sapphire optical components, mobile phone lens covers, Ceramics, LT, Silicon Carbide SIC, Quartz, and semiconductor crystal wafers.

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