Glossary
Contact angle
Druckwinkel
The contact angle is the angle between the line of contact — along which force passes from rolling element to raceways — and the bearing's radial plane. It sets the ratio of radial to axial load capacity: 0° bearings (cylindrical roller) carry essentially radial load only, 90° pure thrust bearings axial only. Angular contact ball and tapered roller bearings lie between; axial capacity rises with the angle while speed capability tends to fall (typical nominal angles for angular contact ball bearings: 15° to 40°). The angle also defines the pressure-cone apexes and thus the effective spread of adjusted O- or X-arrangements, governing tilting rigidity.