Angular contact ball bearings have a contact angle, so they can carry significant axial loads in one direction as well as radial load. As the contact angle increases, the axial load carrying capacity will increase.

For application of steel mill bearings, usually two angular contact ball bearings are used together to improve the load rating and rigidity. Basically the arrangements will be back-to back or face-to-face, with the inner or outer rings are integrated into one. Double-row angular contact ball bearings can sustain axial loads in both direction, and are used as fix-end bearings on the roll neck.

The quality of double-row angular contact ball bearings is very important. Bearings in poor quality will wear out easily. Spallings and metal particles will come into the radial bearings on the roll neck. Thus influence the performance and even break the radial bearings. Reliable supplier should use high quality mould steel (like SKF and ESG Bearing) to make the bearings for a longer working life.