Thrust ball bearings are divided type bearings, which can be divided into one-way thrust ball and two-way thrust ball bearings according to its structure. One-way thrust ball bearings can support a direction axial load; Two-way thrust ball bearings can support two directions axial load. They are both unable to support radial load. Some thrust ball bearings has the structure of housing washer; Due to surface of the housing washer is spherical shape, the bearings have the self-aligning performance, which can reduce the influence of installation error.

The thrust ball bearings are usually applied in the machine parts which bear one side axial load and have slow revolving speed, such as crane hooks, vertical pumps, vertical centrifuge, jack, low speed reducer, etc.