Silicon nitride is a strong, tough, lightweight ceramic material ideal for structural applications such as rolling elements for bearing assemblies. Silicon nitride has been used in hybrid ball bearings and offers the following advantages:     Higher reliability at high speeds and loads     Higher stiffness     Reduced friction     Electrical insulator     Non-magnetic     Can run with reduced lubrication

Ceradyne manufactures silicon nitride balls for ball bearing and check valve applications, and rollers for rolling bearing applications.