Specific types of copper-based alloys used for maintenance-free bearings, along with manufacturing methods and product forms.

high-performance, maintenance-free bearing materials. These are cast copper-based alloys (bronzes and brasses) that have solid lubricant plugs (like graphite) embedded in them. This design provides excellent wear resistance without the need for external lubrication.

1. Manufacturing Processes (Casting Methods)

The codes provided correspond to different casting methods used to produce the raw material for these bearings.

• GS = Sand Casting: Molten metal is poured into a sand mold. Good for complex shapes and large parts.

• GM = Gravity Casting (Permanent Mold): Molten metal is poured into a reusable metal mold. Provides a better surface finish and dimensional accuracy than sand casting.

• GC = Continuous Casting: Produces uniform stock shapes like bars, tubes, and plates with a fine-grained, dense structure. Ideal for machining into bushings.

• GZ = Centrifugal Casting: Molten metal is poured into a spinning mold. The centrifugal force creates a very dense, pure, and strong part, ideal for high-performance cylindrical bearings and bushings.

2. Product Applications (Bearing Types)

These materials are designed to be fabricated into various maintenance-free components:

• Plain Bearings (Bushings)

• Thrust Washers

• Flanged Bearings

• Axial and Radial Bearings

• Half-Shells

• Sliding Plates

• Spherical Bearings

3. Alloy Composition and Properties

The list contains a mix of US (CDA) and European (EN) alloy designations. Below is a detailed table organizing these alloys, their composition, and their common uses.