The axial direction refers to the direction along the axis, and the radial direction perpendicular to it is the radial direction along the axis. So the axial load of the bearing refers to the load generated in the axial direction of the bearing. Generally speaking, it is the force that will push the bearing inner ring out of the outer ring.

端面轴承能承受较大的轴向力。轴承种类中按照承受轴向载荷能力的从小到大依次是：圆柱滚子轴承<球轴承<圆锥滚子轴承<端面轴承。

The end bearing can bear large axial force. Bearing types in accordance with the ability to bear axial load from small to large are: cylindrical roller bearing < ball bearing < tapered roller bearing < end bearing.

滚珠丝杠支撑轴承的选用：由于丝杠主要承受轴向力，大多采用推力轴承作支承。在相同尺寸条件下，推力球轴承轴向刚度比向心推力球轴承及圆锥滚子轴承的轴向刚度要大一倍以上；推力滚柱轴承刚度又比推力球轴承大一倍左右。当轴向载荷较小时，可不用推力球轴承而用向心推力球轴承，这样可减轴承数量。

Selection of ball screw support bearing: because the screw mainly bears axial force, thrust bearing is mostly used as support. Under the same size condition, the axial stiffness of thrust ball bearing is more than twice that of radial thrust ball bearing and tapered roller bearing; The stiffness of the thrust roller bearing is twice that of the thrust ball bearing. When the axial load is small, the radial thrust ball bearing can be used instead of the thrust ball bearing, which can reduce the number of bearings.