JIS Self-Lubricating Bearing Materials
JIS Self-Lubricating Bearing Materials
High-Performance Self-Lubricating Bronze Bushing Solutions & Technologies. Minimize downtime, extend service life, and reduce costs for dynamic applications.
JIS Self-Lubricating Bearing Materials
Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Copper Alloys for Oil-Free Bearings
Introduction
Under Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), self-lubricating bearing materials are mainly based on copper alloys designed to operate under dry running, boundary lubrication, or limited maintenance conditions.
These materials are widely used in industrial machinery, construction equipment, steel mills, port cranes, and automotive applications.
According to JIS H 5120 / JIS H 5115, the most relevant self-lubricating bearing materials fall into three main categories:
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Leaded Tin Bronze (LBC Series) – inherent self-lubrication
-
High Tensile Brass (HBsC Series) – solid-lubricant compatible
-
Aluminium Bronze (ALBC Series) – high load, low speed, oil-free service
1. Leaded Tin Bronze – LBC Series
(True Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings)
Leaded tin bronzes provide natural self-lubrication due to the presence of dispersed lead (Pb), which forms a lubricating film during sliding.
Common JIS Grades
| JIS Grade | Alternative Name | Key Composition | Self-Lubricating Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAC602 | LBC2 | Cu-Sn-Pb (4–6% Pb) | Moderate self-lubrication |
| CAC603 | LBC3 | Cu-Sn-Pb (9–11% Pb) | Widely used bearing bronze |
| CAC604 | LBC4 | Cu-Sn-Pb (14–16% Pb) | Enhanced dry-running ability |
| CAC605 | LBC5 | Cu-Sn-Pb (16–22% Pb) | Maximum self-lubrication |
Typical Applications
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Oil-free bushings
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Boundary-lubricated bearings
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Industrial sliding components
-
Medium load, low-to-medium speed machinery
⚠️ Note: Leaded alloys may face RoHS / environmental restrictions in some regions.
2. High Tensile Brass – HBsC Series
(Solid-Lubricant Plug Bearings)
High tensile brasses are Cu-Zn based alloys strengthened by Al, Mn, and Fe.
They are not self-lubricating by composition, but are ideal base materials for graphite-plug or solid-lubricant bearings.
Common JIS Grades
| JIS Grade | Alternative Name | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| CAC301 | HBsC1 | Balanced strength & machinability |
| CAC302 | HBsC2 | Improved wear resistance |
| CAC303 | HBsC3 | Low-speed, high-load performance |
| CAC304 | HBsC4 | Maximum strength & impact resistance |
Typical Applications
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Graphite-insert self-lubricating bushings
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Heavy-load pivot bearings
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Construction machinery
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Steel mill and port equipment
✅ Best choice for:
High load + low speed + shock + dry or poor lubrication
3. Aluminium Bronze – ALBC Series
(Extreme Load, Corrosion-Resistant Bearings)
Aluminium bronzes offer exceptional strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
When combined with solid lubricants, they perform reliably under severe operating conditions.
Common JIS Grades
| JIS Grade | Alternative Name | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| CAC701 | ALBC1 | Good strength & corrosion resistance |
| CAC702 | ALBC2 | Higher strength, marine-grade |
| CAC703 | ALBC3 | Heavy-duty sliding applications |
| CAC704 | ALBC4 | Extreme load & abrasion resistance |
Typical Applications
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Marine and offshore equipment
-
High-load sliding bearings
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Heavy industrial machinery
-
Corrosive or abrasive environments
4. JIS Self-Lubricating Bearing Material Selection Guide
| Operating Condition | Recommended JIS Material |
|---|---|
| Oil-free / boundary lubrication | CAC603 / CAC604 |
| Maximum self-lubrication | CAC605 (LBC5) |
| Heavy load, low speed | CAC303 / CAC304 |
| Solid lubricant plug bearings | HBsC series |
| Extreme load & corrosion | ALBC series |
5. Summary
JIS standards define a robust material system for self-lubricating bearings, with each alloy family addressing specific operating conditions:
-
LBC Series → intrinsic self-lubrication
-
HBsC Series → high-strength solid-lubricant bearings
-
ALBC Series → extreme load and harsh environments
Correct material selection under JIS standards ensures long service life, reduced maintenance, and reliable bearing performance.
Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) – Copper Alloy Chemical Composition
(Typical composition in wt. %)
Element Symbols
Cu = Copper, Sn = Tin, Pb = Lead, Zn = Zinc, Fe = Iron, Ni = Nickel,
P = Phosphorus, Al = Aluminum, Mn = Manganese, Si = Silicon, Sb = Antimony
1. Aluminium Bronze (ALBC Series)
| JIS Grade | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | Fe | Ni | P | Al | Mn | Si | Sb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC701 (ALBC1) | ≥85.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.0–3.0 | 0.1–1.0 | – | 8.0–10.0 | 0.1–1.0 | – | – |
| CAC702 (ALBC2) | ≥80.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.5–5.0 | 1.0–3.0 | – | 8.0–10.5 | 0.1–1.5 | – | – |
| CAC703 (ALBC3) | ≥78.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.0–6.0 | 3.0–6.0 | – | 8.5–10.5 | 0.1–1.5 | – | – |
| CAC704 (ALBC4) | ≥71.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.0–5.0 | 1.0–4.0 | – | 6.0–9.0 | 7.0–15.0 | – | – |
2. Tin Bronze
| JIS Grade | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | Fe | Ni | P | Al | Mn | Si | Sb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC402 (BC2) | 86.0–90.0 | 7.0–9.0 | ≤1.0 | 3.0–5.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.2 |
| CAC403 (BC3) | 86.5–89.5 | 9.0–11.0 | ≤1.0 | 1.0–3.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.2 |
| CAC502A / 502B (PBC2 / PBC2B) | 87.0–91.0 | 9.0–12.0 | – | ≤0.3 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.1 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.05 |
| CAC503A / 503B (PBC3B) | 84.0–88.0 | 12.0–15.0 | – | ≤0.3 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.1 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.05 |
3. Gun Metal (BC Series)
| JIS Grade | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | Fe | Ni | P | Al | Mn | Si | Sb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC401 (BC1) | 79.0–83.0 | 2.0–4.0 | 3.0–7.0 | 8.0–12.0 | ≤0.35 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.2 |
| CAC406 (BC6) | 83.0–87.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 4.0–6.0 | ≤0.3 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.2 |
| CAC407 (BC7) | 86.0–90.0 | 5.0–7.0 | 1.0–3.0 | 3.0–5.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.2 |
| CAC408 | 84.0–88.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 2.0–4.0 | 5.0–7.0 | ≤0.3 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.2 |
4. Leaded Bronze (Self-Lubricating Bronze – LBC Series)
| JIS Grade | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | Fe | Ni | P | Al | Mn | Si | Sb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC602 (LBC2) | 82.0–86.0 | 9.0–11.0 | 4.0–6.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.3 |
| CAC603 (LBC3) | 77.0–81.0 | 9.0–11.0 | 9.0–11.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.05 |
| CAC604 (LBC4) | 74.0–78.0 | 7.0–9.0 | 14.0–16.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.05 |
| CAC605 (LBC5) | 70.0–76.0 | 6.0–8.0 | 16.0–22.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.005 | – | ≤0.005 | ≤0.05 |
5. High Tensile Brass (HBsC Series)
| JIS Grade | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | Fe | Ni | P | Al | Mn | Si |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC301 (HBsC1) | 55.0–60.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.4 | Rem. | 0.5–1.5 | ≤1.0 | – | 0.5–1.5 | 0.1–1.5 | ≤0.1 |
| CAC302 (HBsC2) | 55.0–60.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.4 | Rem. | 0.5–2.0 | ≤1.0 | – | 0.5–2.0 | 0.1–3.5 | ≤0.1 |
| CAC303 (HBsC3) | 60.0–65.0 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.2 | Rem. | 2.0–4.0 | ≤0.5 | – | 3.0–5.0 | 2.5–5.0 | ≤0.1 |
| CAC304 (HBsC4) | 60.0–65.0 | ≤0.2 | ≤0.2 | Rem. | 2.0–4.0 | ≤0.5 | – | 5.0–7.5 | 2.5–5.0 | ≤0.1 |
6. Brass Alloys
| JIS Grade | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | Fe | Ni | P | Al | Mn | Si |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC801 (SzBC1) | 84.0–88.0 | – | ≤0.1 | 9.0–11.0 | – | – | – | ≤0.5 | – | 3.5–4.5 |
| CAC802 (SzBC2) | 78.5–82.5 | – | ≤0.3 | 14.0–16.0 | – | – | – | ≤0.3 | – | 4.0–5.0 |
| CAC803 (SzBC3) | 80.0–84.0 | – | ≤0.2 | 13.0–15.0 | ≤0.3 | – | – | ≤0.3 | ≤0.2 | 3.2–4.2 |
| CAC201 (YBsC1) | 83.8–88.0 | ≤0.1 | ≤0.5 | Rem. | ≤0.2 | ≤0.2 | – | ≤0.2 | – | – |
| CAC202 (YBsC2) | 65.0–70.0 | ≤1.0 | 0.5–3.0 | Rem. | ≤0.6 | ≤1.0 | – | ≤0.5 | – | – |
| CAC203 (YBsC3) | 58.0–64.0 | ≤1.0 | 0.5–3.0 | Rem. | ≤0.6 | ≤1.0 | – | ≤0.5 | – | – |
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
Metal-Polymer Composite Self-lubricating Bushing Material
Steel Back + Porous Bronze Sinter + PTFE

