In critical environmental conditions (e.g. at temperatures above 300°C) high-performance ceramic bearings have a longer service life than conventional steel bearings. Ceramic rolling elements manufactured from Si3N4-ceramic or Si3N4-HIP ceramics in roller bearings extends lifetime significantly. Thermal expansion of ceramic is considerably less than steel at high temperatures; thus tolerances can be greater. However at higher temperatures partnering Si3N4 - ZrO2 to steel can eliminate problems and thus extend service life further.

It should be noted that the service life of high-performance roller bearings can be due to a number of factors not always associated with the bearing itself.  Faulty design or specification, as well as installation errors and inadequate maintenance, are often the reasons for failures of high-performance components like bearings.

As well as that, the composition, stress and fatigue of the materials used in any bearing play an important role. Thus, steel bearings can suffer from "pittings" in the running surfaces and rolling elements, causing damage. (Ceramic bearings do not suffer from this.) A significant influence on this can also be the type and quantity of grease used, the operating temperature and NVH.

We calculate the bearing lifetime using the standard calculation method for dynamically loaded roller bearings in accordance with
ISO 281:2007(E).