Angular contact ball bearings are particularly suitable for carrying combined (axial and radial) loads. Sometimes, they also can carry pure axial load and operate in higher speed. Under radial load, axial component force will be produced which must be counteracted. So the bearings are normally adjustable against a second bearing.        
Single row angular contact ball bearings can carry axial load acting in one direction only. In many applications, angular contact ball bearings in pairs or multi-arrangement should be used. The axial load carrying capacity of angular contact ball bearings increases with the increase of contact angle.