The Ultimate Engineering Guide to Oilless Bronze Bushings & Solid Lubricant Bearings

01.

Custom plain bearings

The demand for custom non-standard plain bearings is increasing. We can manufacture copper alloy materials to meet China’s national standards as well as the ASTM (UNS, SAE), EU, and JIS standards.

02.

Bespoke plain bearings

viiplus collaborates with customers to find tailored solutions, offering plain bearings in various materials, sizes, tolerances, and designs.

03.

Timely Delivery

Committed to meeting tight deadlines without compromising on quality, we ensure reliable and efficient production timelines.

04.

Versatility

Capable of handling both small-scale and high-volume orders, we provide seamless support for projects of any size. Additionally, we can develop custom copper alloy materials based on specific customer requirements and drawings.

Specialized in Cylindrical Oilless Bronze Bushings, Flanged Oilless Bronze Bushings, Linear Motion Bearing Equivalents

In demanding industrial environments where traditional lubrication is difficult, prone to failure, or environmentally restricted, oilless bronze bushings provide a robust and maintenance-free solution. By combining a high-strength metal matrix with embedded solid lubricants, these bearings are engineered to withstand heavy loads, high temperatures, and severe chemical exposure.

As a global supplier of customized sliding friction solutions, VIIPLUS SOLUTIONS has developed a comprehensive material and application matrix to help engineers navigate the complex selection process of self-lubricating bearings.

Machining Finished Parts, Machining Parts C61900,C86300,C83600,C93700,C90700,C95810,C95200

The Core Technology: How Solid Lubricant Bearings Work

Unlike standard porous bronze or polymer bearings, our heavy-duty oilless bushings are manufactured from cast bronze alloys. The bearing surface is precision-machined with specially designed pockets covering approximately 25% to 30% of the friction area, which are then densely packed with solid lubricants (typically Graphite or PTFE/MoS₂ compounds).

The Dry-Running Mechanism

During the initial run-in period—where a preliminary application of lithium-based grease is highly recommended—the embedded solid lubricants are transferred to the mating shaft. This process forms a stable, micro-thin lubricating film.

  • Low Starting Friction: The start-up friction coefficient remains well-controlled (µ 0.03–0.12), preventing stick-slip effects even after prolonged downtime.

  • Maintenance-Free Operation: Once the transfer film is established, the bearing can operate efficiently without continuous external oil or grease supply.


with graphite inserts Material: C86300 Manganese Bronze with Graphite Plugs
with graphite inserts AUTO LUBRIFICANTE
Oil & Gas

Rated Quality Products

hydraulic

Building The Structures

Hoist Equipment

For a greener tomorrow

Marine

Tasks With Intelligence

C93200 (SAE660) Bronze Ring Leaded Tin Bronze Leaded Tin Bronze
flange groove bearing C93200 (SAE660) or CuSn7Zn4Pb7-C (CC493K) GC Leaded Tin Bronze

Oilless Bushing Material, Machining Parts

Customized Bronze and Self-Lubricating Bronze to Client Specifications

Discover the complete material selection and application matrix for oilless bronze bushings. Compare CuZn25Al5, CuAl10Ni, and ASTM/EN equivalents for heavy-duty industrial friction solutions.

Oilless Bushings, Bronze Alloy Selection Matrix

The performance of an oilless bushing under high loads or corrosive environments relies entirely on its base alloy. Below is a structured guide to our commonly used bronze materials.

CuZn25Al5 (High-Strength Manganese Bronze) – The Industry Standard

This is the default and most widely specified base material for heavy-duty applications.

  • Key Traits: Excellent mechanical strength (Hardness 190–220 HB) and high static load capacity (up to 150 N/mm²).

  • Optimal Environment: General machinery, heavy construction equipment, and high-load/low-speed joints.

  • Standard Equivalent: ASTM B505 C86300 / EN 1982 CuZn25Al5Mn4Fe3-C.

CuAl10Ni (Nickel Aluminum Bronze) – The Extreme Environment Choice

Engineered for situations where standard brass or bronze would degrade.

  • Key Traits: Exceptional corrosion resistance and broad temperature tolerance (-200°C to +400°C). High resistance to shock loads.

  • Optimal Environment: Marine engineering, offshore platforms, chemical pumps, and high-temperature furnace mechanisms.

  • Standard Equivalent: ASTM B148 C95800 / EN 1982 CC333G.

CuSn12 / CuSn12Pb (Tin Bronze & Leaded Bronze) – The Balanced Performer

Often referred to as “gear bronze,” this alloy provides an excellent balance of wear resistance and smooth sliding properties.

  • Key Traits: Good anti-friction behavior, suitable for moderate speeds (up to 1.0 m/s), and resistant to fresh water and oils.

  • Optimal Environment: Turbines, medium-speed gearboxes, and general industrial automation.

  • Standard Equivalent: ASTM B427 C90800 / EN 1982 CC483K.

CuSn7ZnPb (RG7) – The Economical Alternative

A highly versatile, cost-effective alloy for standard conditions.

  • Key Traits: Adequate load capacity for light-to-medium duty applications with moderate corrosion resistance.

  • Optimal Environment: Automotive hinges, agricultural attachments, and general-purpose light-duty bearings.

  • Standard Equivalent: ASTM B505 C93200 (SAE 660) / EN 1982 CC493K.

Ultimate Engineering Guide to Oilless Bronze Bushings & Solid Lubricant Bearings VIIPLUS Looking for technical advice?

Copper Alloy with Graphite Embedded Slide Bearing Bushings manufacturing combine harvester spare parts solid bushing, bronze with lubricant plugs embedded Cast Bronze Bushings with Solid Lubricant Inserts

Download plain bearing and Oilless Bushing brochure

Download our brochure for detailed information on our plain bearings, including an overview, specifications, materials, lubrication, and size lists. Bushings, thrust washers, wear plates, and spherical bearings for high-performance applications.

    type of Cylindrical Oilless Bronze Bushings, Flanged Oilless Bronze Bushings, Slide Plate

    Integrated Production for Bronze Bearings, Bronze: The Ideal Material for Friction Bearings, Custom Dimensions

    VIIPLUS: Precision Bronze & Alloy Bearings VIIPLUS produces bushings, flange bearings, rings, and slide plates using advanced centrifugal casting, made from bronze and special alloys to meet EN 1982 and ASTM B271 standards. We specialize in large bushes, rings, and sleeves, combining premium materials with modern machining for high-quality, durable, and traceable bearings. Ideal for industrial and structural applications, our bearings handle a wide range of loads and temperatures, from cryogenic to high-heat environments. Products Include: Sleeve, Flange, Thrust, Spherical Plain Bearings, Expansion, Radial & Spherical Plates, plus custom options with grooves or non-standard tolerances. Need technical guidance or a custom solution? Contact our experts today!

    Navigating material grades across different regions can be challenging. While chemical compositions may have minor variations, the following cross-reference table serves as a reliable guideline for global procurement:

    European (EN 1982) American (ASTM) Japanese (JIS) Common Industry Name
    CuZn25Al5Mn4Fe3-C C86300 CAC304C High-Strength Manganese Bronze
    CC333G (CuAl10Ni) C95800 – Nickel Aluminum Bronze
    CC493K (CuSn7ZnPb) C93200 CAC607 SAE 660 / RG7
    CC483K (CuSn12) C90800 PBC2C Phosphor Bronze
    CC495K (CuPb10Sn) C93700 – SAE 64

    (Note: Actual operational tolerances and material suitability must be verified against final system integration requirements.)


    Application Matrix: Oilless Solutions by Product Form

    VIIPLUS manufactures solid lubricant bearings in various geometries to suit specific spatial and kinetic requirements:

    Straight Cylindrical Bushings (JDB Series)

    • Structure: Standard OD x ID x Length (e.g., 40x35x15 mm).

    • Application: Pivot points in excavators, toggle joints in injection molding machines, and guide mechanisms in hydraulic presses.

    Piloted & Flanged Bushings (JFB / MPT Series)

    • Structure: Includes an integrated thrust flange (Round, Square, or H-Type) to handle simultaneous radial and axial forces.

    • Application: Heavy lifting cranes, structural supports, and heavy-duty suspension systems where side-loading occurs.

    Linear Bearing Equivalents (LMF / LMK / LMH / LM-OP Series)

    • The Upgrade: Traditional linear ball bearings often fail prematurely in dirty, dusty, or high-impact environments due to ball jamming.

    • The Solution: VIIPLUS offers solid bronze drop-in replacements with exact dimensional equivalence to standard LM bearings. These self-lubricating linear alternatives slide smoothly without moving parts, making them highly resilient against debris and severe vibrations in automated production lines.


    5. Engineering Fitting Guidelines

    To ensure the longevity of VIIPLUS solid lubricant bushings, engineers should adhere to the following installation parameters:

    • Housing Tolerance: Standard H7 bore is recommended.

    • Shaft Tolerance: f7 or h6 is standard to achieve an optimal r6/E7 clearance after mounting.

    • Shaft Hardness: The mating shaft should be at least 70–100 HB harder than the bushing’s base material to minimize shaft wear.

    • Surface Finish: A shaft roughness of Ra ≤ 0.8 is highly recommended to ensure proper solid lubricant film adhesion.

    Connect with VIIPLUS SOLUTIONS

    Whether you are designing a high-temperature metallurgical furnace or a subsea ROV, selecting the correct sliding friction material is critical. Explore our Online Bearing Dimensions Selector to filter through thousands of standard cylindrical and flanged configurations, or contact the VIIPLUS engineering team at www.viiplus.com to develop custom dimensions and alloy formulations tailored to your exact operational specifications.

    CuAl10Fe2
    CuSn11P
    CuSn7Zn4Pb7
    CuZn33Pb
    CuAl10Fe
    CuAl10Ni3Fe2
    CuSn11Pb2
    CuSn10Pb10
    CuAl10Ni
    CuAl10Fe5Ni5
    CuSn12
    CuZn25Al5Mn4Fe3
    CuZn25Al5

    CuAl11Ni

    RG7
    CuAl11Fe6Ni6
    CuSn12Ni2
    CuZn34Mn3Al2Fe1
    CuZn34Al2
    CuSn5ZnPb
    CuSn10

    CuSn5Zn5Pb5

    CuZn32Al2Mn2F31
    CuZn35Al1
    CuAl10NiFe4
    CuSn7ZnPb
    C95800
    C52400
    C91700
    C83600
    C95400*
    C90500
    C86300
    C93200*
    C90500
    C86200