Calotte Sliding Support Bearings Made from CuZn25Al5 with Graphite Plugs

Heavy-Load, High-Temperature Self-Lubricating Solutions

1. Product Definition – What Are Calotte Sliding Support Bearings?

Sliding Support Bearings, also known as Pipe Bearings, POD Bearings, or Calotte Sliding Bearings, are heavy-duty structural components designed to support high loads while allowing controlled movement.

The calotte (spherical) design enables:

• Limited angular self-alignment

• Controlled axial or lateral displacement

• Compensation for installation tolerances and structural deformation

Material & Construction

• Base Material: CuZn25Al5 manganese bronze

• Standard: EN 1982 CC762S

• Self-Lubrication: Embedded graphite plugs

This combination ensures maintenance-free operation, even under extreme load and temperature conditions.

2. Available Designs and Versions

We supply multiple configurations of sliding support bearings to match different structural and operational requirements.

Flat Sliding Plates

• Allow linear sliding only

• Ideal for thermal expansion compensation

• Commonly used in pipe supports and steel structures

Calotte Sliding Bearings (Spherical Type)

• Permit limited angular movement plus sliding

• Automatically compensate for:

  • Installation misalignment

  • Structural deflection

• Suitable for heavy static and dynamic loads

Disc Plates / Sliding Washers

• Compact calotte disc plates designed for localized load transfer

• Widely used in POD bearing and point-support systems

3. Application of Sliding Washers (Calotte Disc Plates)

Unlike conventional washers, sliding washers are load-bearing functional components.

Typical Installation Locations

• Between steel structures and concrete foundations

• Between pipe shoes and pipe supports

• Under bolted support points in bridges and industrial equipment

• As the sliding interface in POD bearing systems

Functional Benefits

• Withstand very high surface pressure

• Provide low-friction sliding

• Compensate for:

  • Thermal expansion

  • Minor angular deviations

  • Non-parallel mounting surfaces

In essence, a calotte sliding washer integrates:

Load carrying + sliding movement + self-lubrication

4. Operating Conditions

Calotte sliding support bearings are engineered for demanding environments:

• Temperature range: –40 °C to +500 °C

• Lubrication: Dry running, maintenance-free

• Suitable for:

  • Heavy static and dynamic loads

  • Low-speed or oscillating movement

  • High-temperature installations

  • Applications with limited access for maintenance

5. Material Options

Standard Material – CuZn25Al5 (Manganese Bronze)

• EN 1982: CC762S

• DIN: 2.0598

• ASTM: B505 C86300

• GB: HTB3

Key Advantages

• High mechanical strength

• Excellent load-bearing capacity

• Strong impact resistance

• Proven compatibility with graphite solid lubricants

This material is especially suitable for heavy-duty sliding support bearings.

Optional Material – C91100 with Graphite Plugs

• Solid bronze matrix with embedded solid lubricant

• Recommended for:

  • Higher operating temperatures

  • Extremely harsh environments

  • Long-term static loads or micro-movement conditions

6. Typical Applications

Construction & Infrastructure

• Bridge sliding bearings

• Steel structure support points

• Seismic-resistant sliding interfaces

Energy & Piping Systems

• Pipe support sliding plates

• High-temperature pipelines with thermal expansion

• LNG, petrochemical, and refinery installations

Industrial Equipment

• Heavy machinery bases

• Furnace and continuous casting equipment

• High-temperature structural supports

7. Customization Capabilities

In addition to standard products, we develop fully customized sliding support solutions.

Custom options include:

• Flat or calotte (spherical) designs

• Special dimensions and load ratings

• Optimized graphite plug layouts

• Custom mounting and fixation methods

Suitable for:

• Restricted movement designs

• Operating temperatures up to 500 °C

• Special loads or space-limited installations

8. Professional Summary

Calotte disc plates and sliding washers manufactured from CuZn25Al5 manganese bronze with graphite plugs are engineered for heavy-load, high-temperature sliding support applications, delivering maintenance-free operation, self-alignment capability, and reliable long-term performance under extreme conditions.

9. Application Case Study – Bridge Sliding Support Bearings (Calotte Type)

Bridge Application of Sliding Support Bearings / Pipe Bearings / POD Bearings

Calotte Type with Graphite Plugs (Solid Bronze with Solid Lubricant)

In modern bridge engineering, sliding support bearings and POD bearing systems are essential structural components used to safely transfer loads while allowing controlled movement caused by temperature variation, traffic load, creep, and seismic activity.

Calotte-type sliding support bearings manufactured from solid bronze with embedded graphite plugs are widely applied in critical bridge support locations where high load capacity, self-alignment, and maintenance-free operation are required.

Typical Installation Locations in Bridge Structures

1. Between Bridge Superstructure and Substructure

• Installed between steel girders and concrete piers or abutments

• Function as primary sliding interfaces

• Allow longitudinal and transverse movement due to:

  • Thermal expansion and contraction

  • Structural deformation

The calotte (spherical) geometry compensates for angular misalignment between the bridge deck and supporting structure, preventing edge loading and uneven stress distribution.

2. POD Bearing Systems at Concentrated Load Points

• Used as calotte disc plates or sliding washers in POD bearing designs

• Installed directly under:

  • Steel bearing plates

  • Anchor bolts

  • Localized load transfer points

These sliding washers:

• Carry very high surface pressure

• Enable micro-movement and rotation

• Protect the surrounding steel and concrete from wear and damage

3. Sliding Interfaces for Seismic and Expansion Control

• Applied in seismic isolation zones and expansion joints

• Allow controlled displacement during:

  • Earthquakes

  • Wind-induced movement

  • Traffic-induced vibration

The embedded graphite plugs provide solid lubrication, ensuring reliable sliding performance even after long periods of static loading.

Functional Advantages in Bridge Applications

Calotte sliding support bearings with graphite plugs offer the following benefits in bridge structures:

• High load-bearing capacity for permanent and variable loads

• Self-alignment capability through spherical calotte design

• Low and stable friction coefficient without grease or oil

• Maintenance-free operation, ideal for inaccessible bridge locations

• Excellent performance under outdoor conditions, including:

  • Temperature fluctuations

  • Moisture

  • Dust and contaminants

Why Solid Bronze with Graphite Plugs Is Ideal for Bridges

Bridges demand materials that perform reliably over decades.
CuZn25Al5 manganese bronze with solid graphite lubricant provides:

• Long service life under heavy static loads

• Resistance to impact and vibration

• Stable sliding behavior after long standstill periods

• No risk of lubricant leakage or wash-out

This makes calotte-type sliding support bearings an optimal solution for bridge sliding supports, POD bearings, and pipe-support-like load transfer systems.

Bridge Application Summary

In bridge engineering, calotte sliding support bearings and sliding washers made from solid bronze with graphite plugs are installed at key load-transfer and movement-control points, enabling safe structural movement, reducing stress concentration, and ensuring long-term, maintenance-free performance under heavy loads and harsh environmental conditions.