SKF needle roller and cage thrust assemblies are fitted as standard with a form-stable, machined steel cage or a sheet steel cage, except for those identified by the designation suffix TN. These assemblies have an injection moulded, glass fibre reinforced, polyamide 66 cage. The complete range of needle roller thrust bearings with a centring spigot in the AXW series are fitted exclusively with steel cages.

Assemblies with a polyamide 66 cage can be used at temperatures up to +120 °C.

The lubricants generally used for rolling bearings do not have a detrimental effect on cage properties. Exceptions are a few synthetic oils and greases with a synthetic oil base and lubricants containing a high proportion of EP additives when used at high temperatures.

For SKF bearing arrangements that will operate at continuously high temperatures or under arduous conditions, SKF recommends using needle roller and cage thrust assemblies with a steel cage.