Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

Since 1938, IEC Ltd has been a trusted distributor of precision bearings in the UK. As the exclusive UK partner of GRW, we supply premium hybrid ceramic bearings that combine the strength of steel with the low-friction benefits of ceramics.

Engineered with steel rings and ceramic balls, hybrid ceramic bearings deliver outstanding speed, durability, and precision. They run cooler, resist wear, and last longer than standard steel bearings, making them ideal for high-performance applications. From high-speed spindles and robotics to precision medical equipment, our hybrid designs enhance reliability while reducing maintenance demands.

Value without compromise

Hybrid ceramic bearings provide the best of both worlds — the toughness of steel with the efficiency of ceramics. This unique balance results in minimal friction for smoother, faster operation, while also offering excellent resistance to heat, corrosion, and wear. Their extended service life and reduced maintenance demands make them a cost-effective investment for businesses seeking reliable, high-performance solutions. With consistent accuracy in demanding environments, hybrid ceramic bearings are trusted by engineers across multiple industries to deliver long-term value.

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IEC Products Range

A complete range of bearings and configurations designed to carry load, reduce friction and support rotating and oscillating systems in any application.

Understanding Ceramic Hybrid Bearings

Hybrid ceramic bearings combine the toughness of steel with the low-friction benefits of ceramic, creating a high-performance solution for demanding applications. Featuring silicon nitride balls and steel rings, they deliver faster speeds, cooler running, and longer service life than standard steel bearings. By reducing friction and resisting heat, corrosion, and electrical currents, hybrid ceramic bearings offer exceptional reliability. They are widely used in aerospace, machine tools, robotics, automotive systems, and other environments where precision and durability are critical.

Benefits of Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

Choosing hybrid ceramic bearings brings clear advantages over conventional designs. They can run at higher speeds, last up to five times longer, and require less maintenance thanks to their resistance to wear and corrosion. Lower operating temperatures improve efficiency, while electrical insulation makes them ideal for applications where current leakage is a risk. The result is greater productivity, reduced downtime, and improved cost-effectiveness over the bearing’s lifetime.

Applications

Trusted across multiple industries, hybrid ceramic bearings are found in high-speed spindles, robotics, aerospace components, and advanced automotive systems. Their performance benefits also extend into specialist fields such as medical devices and precision equipment, where reliability cannot be compromised.

Comparing Performance

When compared with conventional steel bearings, hybrid ceramic designs stand out for their higher load capacity, reduced friction, and superior resistance to extreme conditions. For engineers seeking durability, speed, and long-term value, hybrid ceramic bearings are a proven upgrade.

Get your bearings

Utilise our customised Bearing Selector tool here.

Engineering in motion

We act as partners, making our customers’ engineering challenges ours to solve, removing stress and freeing up time to turn ideas in to innovation.

Product:

Bearings

Application:

High pressure pure air generators

Challenge:

High pressure pure air generators are designed to replace rechargeable gas bottles on modern military aircraft. The system draws in atmospheric air to provide a continuous supply of high-pressure pure air, which results in unlimited mission duration and eliminates the logistics burden associated with gas bottles.

Solution:

For critical applications, reliability and resilience is paramount. IEC supplied components are capable of operating with high degrees of accuracy under extreme load.

Product:

Bearings

Application:

Co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM)

Challenge:

5-axis measurement represents the biggest step-change in measurement capability ever introduced, delivering unprecedented speed and measurement flexibility, whilst avoiding the speed versus accuracy compromises inherent in conventional techniques.

Solution:

Duty of CMMs is generally low hence there is intermittent operation of bearings. Machines do require high reliability so products are tested and developed continuously, meaning technical support from bearing OEMs is critical. Some bearings are supplied with specific profiled outer ring designs.

Product:

Bearings

Application:

Peristaltic pump

Challenge:

Peristaltic pumps use occlusion rollers and positive displacement to feed fluid in industrial and medical applications, regulating flow and eliminating the need for valves. Bearings fitted in occlusion rollers have a cycle of coming on and off load with the potential to skip.

Solution:

It is important to select a bearing with high quality machining of its raceways to allow the bearing to readily accept these changes in state.

Markets

IEC have a range of mechanical solutions to suit a broad spectrum of markets and applications, from aerospace to skateboards.

Markets

IEC have a range of mechanical solutions to suit a broad spectrum of markets and applications, from aerospace to skateboards.

Markets

From the extremes of aerospace performance to the smooth roll of a skateboard, IEC’s mechanical solutions demonstrate versatility and precision across every application.

Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

Value without compromise

Download our free technical documents and brochures.

IEC Products Range

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Thrust

Specialist & customised

Understanding Ceramic Hybrid Bearings

Benefits of Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

Applications

Comparing Performance

Get your bearings

Utilise our customised Bearing Selector tool here.

Engineering in motion

Product:

Application:

Challenge:

Solution:

Product:

Application:

Challenge:

Solution:

Product:

Application:

Challenge:

Solution:

Markets

Markets

Markets

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