Thrust Ball Bearings are composed of a "washer-like" bearing ring with raceway grooves for the balls and are classified into flat seats or aligning seats. Designed to handle thrust loads while operating at high speeds, these ball bearings are able to sustain axial loads but not radial loads.

Available in two designs: single direction and double direction. Single direction design includes two rings, referred to as shaft and housing washers and a single ball and cage assembly. Double direction design, on the other hand, includes three washers and two ball and cage assemblies. The ball and cage assemblies of the double direction type are separated by the shaft washer.