Rolling-element bearings utilize balls (ball bearings) or cylindrical rollers (roller or “needle” bearings). These elements are contained with bearing rings or “races”, where they facilitate motion with little resistance to sliding. Ball bearings, the most common type, can accommodate both radial and axial loads.
However, rolling element bearings are subject to failure modes such as brinelling, when the race is deformed by the rolling element due to load or the balls deform if they are overloaded, false brinelling, due to repeated loads under static conditions, as well as wear due to insufficient lubrication with oscillatory movements. Designed for heavier loads, cylindrical roller bearings have greater contact with the races, spreading the load over a larger area. However, they are not well suited for applications involving thrust loads.