SIST EN 3446:2001

Overview

EN 3446:1995 (Aerospace series) is a CEN standard that defines the required characteristics for precision ball bearings without flange made of corrosion-resisting steel, intended for instruments and aircraft equipment. The standard covers bearings with radial contact, deep-groove design and without filling slot, and specifies their dimensions and load ratings. EN 3446 was adopted into national collections (e.g., SIST EN 3446:2001) and is part of the components for aerospace construction (ICS 49.035).

Key Topics and Requirements

• Bearing type and configuration
  • Precision ball bearings without flange
  • Deep-groove construction for radial load support
  • Radial contact geometry suitable for instrument applications
  • No filling slot (solid raceway design)
• Material
  • Manufacture in corrosion-resisting steel (standard defines material class rather than specifying proprietary alloys)
• Dimensions and tolerances
  • Standardized dimensional specifications to ensure interchangeability and fit in instrument/aircraft assemblies
• Load ratings
  • Defined static and dynamic load characteristics appropriate for precision instrument use and aircraft equipment
• Aerospace suitability
  • Requirements tailored to the reliability, precision, and environmental expectations of aerospace instruments

(EN 3446 gives the framework for dimensional and load characteristics; consult the full text for exact tables and tolerance values.)

Applications and Who Uses This Standard

• Aerospace designers and engineers
  • Selecting bearings for aircraft instruments, sensors, gyroscopes, actuators and other precision equipment
• Manufacturers and suppliers
  • Designing and producing precision ball bearings to meet aerospace interchangeability and performance expectations
• Quality assurance and procurement
  • Specifying EN 3446-compliant bearings in sourcing documents and acceptance testing
• Maintenance and overhaul organizations
  • Ensuring replacement bearings meet original dimensional and load requirements for certified aircraft equipment
• Regulatory and certification bodies
  • Referencing standardized bearings in compliance documentation and part approvals

Keywords: aerospace bearings, precision ball bearings, EN 3446, corrosion resisting steel, instrument bearings, aircraft equipment, dimensions and loads.

Related Standards

• National and international equivalents or later revisions (e.g., adopted national standards such as SIST EN 3446)
• Other aerospace bearing standards and general bearing standards (EN / ISO) that cover different bearing types, materials, or tolerance classes

For specification or procurement, consult the full EN 3446:1995 text or its current revision/adopted national versions to obtain exact dimensional tables, load values and tolerance classes.