Plain bearing and slide bushing designs utilizing maintenance-free steel/steel and steel/bronze material pairs offer ease of maintenance, cost-effectiveness, and exceptional suitability for alternating loads.

Utilizing the low-maintenance metal-polymer composite bearing, plain bushes, washers, and strips are equipped with a sliding layer containing lubricant pockets, thus requiring only initial lubrication in most instances.

Plain bearings find extensive application across various industries, categorized into radial bearings, thrust bearings, and linear bearings based on their function with rotational or linear movements. Often referred to as “sleeve bearings,” they embody simplicity in design and function.

With a sliding layer, some plain bearings are self-lubricating, ensuring smooth and reliable operation. The basic cylindrical sleeve-shaped design suffices for radial loads, while for additional axial loads, a flanged bushing is preferred.

Widely utilized, especially in scenarios demanding heavy loads, plain bearings are integral components in machinery featuring rotating or sliding shafts. Depending on the material used, they offer a viable solution for applications requiring quiet operation.

Metal-polymer composite plain bearings offer a cost-effective alternative for various industrial and automotive applications. These bearings are lead-free, making them environmentally friendly. With different innovative material combinations, a wide range of materials is ensured.

Maintenance-free PTFE bushings are used as sliding material in metal-polymer composite plain bearings, eliminating the need for lubrication throughout their operational lifespan. The sliding layer is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with embedded chemically inert additives. The triple-layer material consists of the steel backing, the sliding layer, and the running-in layer.

The steel backing features a sintered porous tin-bronze sliding layer with pores filled with the dry lubricant of the running-in layer.

Technical advantages include:

• Suitable for dynamic surface pressures of up to 140 N/mm²
• Applicable in hydrodynamic applications
• Suitable for use in water due to high moisture resistance
• Compact design
• Sliding speed of up to 2.5 m/s

Special materials are available, such as maintenance-free film type bearings. These bearings feature self-lubricating material based on a lattice structure with a sliding layer comprising PTFE and additives, rolled and sintered. The lattice serves as both backing and sliding layer.

The sliding layer containing PTFE on both sides allows sliding movement on the inside and outside of bushes. Another advantage of this material is its ease of formability. Typical applications for film type bearings include fittings, tools, and hinges.

Explore our product catalog for more information on rolling bearings and plain bearings, including plain bearings with slide self-lubricating bushing material.