Bimetal Bearings & Bushings for Lubricated Applications
Bimetal Bearings & Bushings for Lubricated Applications
High-Performance Self-Lubricating Bronze Bushing Solutions & Technologies. Minimize downtime, extend service life, and reduce costs for dynamic applications.
Steel-backed bimetal plain bearings engineered for demanding, low-maintenance operation. High mechanical strength, fatigue resistance and compact design for extreme loads, shock and oscillating motion.Bimetal Bearings & Bushings for Lubricated Applications
VIIPLUS SOLUTIONS supplies a comprehensive range of steel-backed bimetal plain bearings and thrust washers for lubricated service. The bimetallic structure pairs a strong steel backing with a bearing-grade sliding layer, delivering high load capacity and durability in a thin-wall, space-saving envelope.
Product Families
The bimetal range covers three complementary designs. Each is optimised for a different duty profile, so you can match the bearing to the application instead of over-specifying.
Tin-Overlay Bimetal (General Lubricated)
A tin-based overlay on a steel backing for general lubricated duty. Combines good embeddability with broad chemical compatibility for oil and grease.
High-Load / Oscillating Bimetal
Reinforced bimetal with surface indents that act as grease reservoirs. Built for extreme loads, shock loads and low-speed oscillating movement. Hardened shafts are not required.
High-Speed Bimetal
A sliding-layer composition tuned for high-speed, oil-lubricated running with reliable emergency-running capability when lubrication is briefly lost.
Verified Material & Mechanical Properties
Typical sliding-layer and bearing properties. Values are representative engineering data for the three bimetal variants and should be confirmed against the specific quotation for your order.
| Property | Unit | Tin-Overlay | High-Load | High-Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. static load, p | N/mm² | 300 | 300 | 250 |
| Max. dynamic load, p | N/mm² | 140 | 140 | 120 |
| Operating temp. – min | °C | -40 | -40 | -40 |
| Operating temp. – max (greased) | °C | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| Operating temp. – max (oil lubricated) | °C | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Max. sliding speed, U | m/s | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Max. pU factor | N/mm²·m/s | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Coeff. of friction, f (greased) | – | 0.05–0.12 | 0.05–0.12 | 0.05–0.12 |
| Coeff. of friction, f (oil) | – | 0.04–0.12 | 0.04–0.12 | 0.04–0.12 |
| Shaft roughness, Ra | µm | ≤ 0.8 | ≤ 0.8 | ≤ 0.4 |
| Shaft hardness (normal) | HB | > 200 | > 200 | > 200 |
| Shaft hardness (longer life) | HB | > 350 | > 350 | > 350 |
Key Characteristics
High-Load / Oscillating
- Supports high specific loads
- Excellent fatigue strength under dynamic and shock loads
- Suitable for oil and grease lubrication
- Superior performance under oscillating movement
- Steel backing provides strength and rigidity
- Thin-wall construction for compact assemblies
- Surface indents act as grease reservoirs — extended re-greasing intervals
- Tolerant of relatively poor mating-surface finish
High-Speed
- Bore can be bored, reamed, broached or ball-burnished in situ to control clearance
- Suitable for oil or grease lubrication
- Steel backing provides strength and rigidity
- Hardened shafts are not required
- Thin-wall construction for compact assemblies
Typical Applications
Bimetal bearings are suited to a wide range of lubricated applications:
- High-speed / emergency-running: oil-pump bearings, gearbox bushes, steering gear, power steering, pedal bushes, king-pin bushes, tailgate pivots, brake-caliper bushes, machine slides, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motors, pneumatic equipment, medical equipment, textile machinery.
- High-load / oscillating: agricultural machinery, earth-movers, textile machinery, pneumatic equipment, king-pin bushes, brake-caliper bushes, mechanical handling and lifting equipment, hydraulic cylinders, off-highway equipment.
Standard Forms & Sizes
Cylindrical wrapped bushes and thrust washers are available in a standard metric range; non-standard parts, strip and special forms are supplied to order. The table below shows a representative subset of standard bushes (metric, mm). Full dimensional schedules are available on request.
| Part No. | Shaft Ø d (min–max) | Housing Ø D (min–max) | Wall t | Width B | Radial Clearance | Oil Hole Ø |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2015 | 19.967–20.000 | 23.000–23.021 | 1.49/1.43 | 15 | 0.020–0.161 | 4 |
| PM2220 | 21.967–22.000 | 25.000–25.021 | 1.49/1.43 | 20 | 0.020–0.161 | 6 |
| PM2530 | 24.967–25.000 | 28.000–28.021 | 1.49/1.43 | 30 | 0.020–0.161 | — |
| PM3030 | 29.967–30.000 | 34.000–34.025 | 1.49/1.43 | 30 | 0.020–0.161 | — |
| PM4040 | 39.961–40.000 | 44.000–44.025 | 1.49/1.43 | 40 | 0.020–0.161 | 8 |
| PM5050 | 49.961–50.000 | 55.000–55.030 | 2.40/2.40 | 50 | 0.080–0.230 | — |
| PM7065 | 69.954–70.000 | 75.000–75.030 | 2.40/2.40 | 65 | 0.080–0.235 | — |
| PM10080 | 99.946–100.000 | 105.000–105.035 | 2.40/2.40 | 80 | 0.080–0.235 | — |
Dimensions are representative and derived from the source specification; confirm exact tolerances against the current VIIPLUS SOLUTIONS catalogue before ordering.
Installation
Bushes should be inserted into the housing with a stepped mandrel. Insert the bush squarely to avoid damaging the bearing lining. Machine a light lead-in chamfer in the housing and apply a smear of oil to the outer surface to assist assembly. Recommended mandrel and chamfer dimensions follow standard press-fit practice.
Machining & Sizing
High-Load / Oscillating: Bushes normally require no sizing after assembly. If the lining must be machined, avoid burrs at the indent edges. Use a diamond-tipped boring tool with a fine feed of 0.1 mm/rev and a cutting speed of 2–3 m/s.
High-Speed: Bushes must be finish-sized after assembly by burnishing, broaching or boring. Burnishing with a hardened sphere or ribbed tool often suffices; the tool diameter allows for bore recovery after sizing. For boring, keep good concentricity with the housing, use H6 limits and work toward maximum bore size. Tool: ~0.7 mm point radius, 30° approach angle, 10° primary angle, 2–3 m/s, 0.1 mm/rev.
Lubrication
These bearings must be lubricated. Above 100 °C, avoid attack of the lining by acidic degradation products from the lubricant. Unlike polymer-composite bearings, these materials are compatible with lubricants containing MoS₂ or graphite.
All variants suit oil or grease. For grease service, the High-Load / Oscillating design is produced with a uniform pattern of indents that form a lubricant reservoir and optimise distribution across the loaded area. The High-Speed design is particularly suited to oil-lubricated high-speed running.
Quality & Certifications
Manufacturing is aligned with internationally recognised management standards, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949 and ISO 14001.
Compliance & Disclaimer
The information in this document assists in assessing material suitability for the intended use. It is based on internal investigation and generally accessible engineering references and does not constitute a warranty that any product is suited to a particular purpose or operating condition. Product data are subject to continual development; specifications may change without prior notice. All supply is governed by the applicable sales and delivery terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bimetal bearings used for?
They serve lubricated applications needing high mechanical strength, fatigue resistance and compact designs — hydraulic cylinders, gearboxes, steering systems, agricultural and off-highway equipment, textile machinery and pneumatic devices.
What is the maximum operating temperature?
150 °C greased, 250 °C oil-lubricated; minimum -40 °C for all variants.
Do bimetal bearings need hardened shafts?
Hardened shafts are not required. Shaft hardness above 200 HB is recommended; above 350 HB extends service life.
How are the bushes installed?
Press in with a stepped mandrel, squarely, with a light oil film and a housing lead-in chamfer. Some variants need finish-sizing by burnishing, broaching or boring afterwards.
Engineering Support
VIIPLUS SOLUTIONS application engineers can help you select the right plain bearing, design to standard or custom dimensions, estimate service life, and provide assembly and installation guidance. With flexible manufacturing, standard and customised products are delivered responsively through a global production and supply network.
Metal Bushing (Lubricated Metal) -Self-Lubricating Bushing Materials
Bushings are specialized, self-lubricating metal components widely utilized across various industries due to their durability and low maintenance requirements. Self-lubricating metal bushings are engineered to function without additional lubrication in numerous applications, thereby minimizing maintenance needs. These bushings are available in various series and configurations, such as flanged bushings and split bearings, to meet specific application requirements.
Metal-Polymer Anti-Friction Plain Bearings
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