Plain Bearings – Reliable, High-Performance Solutions

Viiplus offers premium plain bearings, spherical bearings, and rod ends trusted in industrial and automotive applications worldwide. Our solutions improve machine performance, reduce maintenance, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Composite bushings are available with steel or bronze backings in various forms including bushings, flanged bushings, thrust washers, and strips. Bronze-backed designs offer high corrosion resistance, excellent thermal conductivity, and antimagnetic properties. These bushings are ideal for applications requiring minimal friction.

Contact us for expert advice on your application.

Availability
Standard-dimension bearing forms include:

• Cylindrical bushes / Split bushings

• Flanged bushes / Flanged split bushings

• Thrust washers

• Flanged washers

• Sliding plates

Plain Bushings (Plain Bearings) – Versatile, Low-Friction, High-Wear Components

Plain bushings are engineered for low-friction operation, high wear resistance, and reliable performance in demanding conditions. Features such as maintenance-free operation, high load capacity, and suitability for oscillating or rotational movements make them indispensable across multiple industries.

Key Applications of Plain Bushings

Bridge Bearings

Plain bushings accommodate rotation and sliding caused by thermal expansion, traffic loads, or seismic activity. Maintenance-free designs, such as steel-backed sinter bronze PTFE bushings, ensure durability under heavy loads.

Dams

They support gate mechanisms and control systems under high radial loads. Corrosion-resistant materials, including bronze or composite, provide reliable operation in wet or hydraulic environments.

Buildings

Used in structural bearings, bushings allow controlled movement due to thermal expansion or seismic activity. PTFE or composite liners offer long-term, maintenance-free reliability.

Steelworks

Applied in rolling mills, cranes, and conveyor systems, plain bushings deliver high load capacity and resist extreme temperatures and contaminants, ensuring dependable performance in harsh industrial environments.

Rail Vehicles

Bushings handle dynamic loads, vibrations, and oscillations in suspensions, bogies, and coupling systems. Maintenance-free designs reduce servicing requirements and maximize system availability.

Agricultural Machinery

Supporting rotating or pivoting components such as axles, hitches, and linkages, bushings are robust against dust, dirt, and moisture. Maintenance-free options are ideal for rugged agricultural conditions.

Ships

Used in rudder systems, propeller shafts, and deck equipment, bushings made from corrosion-resistant and self-lubricating materials ensure reliable operation under saltwater exposure and high mechanical stress.

Construction Machinery

Bushings are employed in pivot points, hydraulic cylinders, and articulated joints of excavators, loaders, and cranes. They withstand high loads, shocks, and contamination.

Fluid Technology

In pumps, valves, and hydraulic systems, bushings provide low-friction support for rotating or sliding components. Their chemical resistance and suitability for wet or lubricated environments ensure long service life.

Wind Turbines

Bushings facilitate smooth, precise movements in pitch and yaw systems under high loads. Maintenance-free PTFE designs minimize downtime in remote wind farm locations.

Solar Applications

Used in solar tracking systems, bushings enable smooth, low-friction movement of panels or mirrors. Durable under UV exposure and temperature fluctuations, maintenance-free designs ensure reliable long-term operation.

Key Features

• Maintenance-Free Options: PTFE or POM liners eliminate the need for regular lubrication.

• High Load Capacity: Handles heavy radial and axial loads in dynamic environments.

• Corrosion Resistance: Bronze, stainless steel, or composite materials withstand harsh conditions.

• Versatility: Available in cylindrical, flanged, and custom designs to suit specific applications.

Applications of Plain Bearings

Viiplus provides high-quality plain bearings for:

• Rotating and oscillating motion

• Linear strokes (short and long)

• Heavy-load applications in commercial vehicles, conveyors, and agricultural machinery

Key offerings:

• Plain bushings with PTFE or POM

• Metal-polymer composite bushings

• Spherical plain bearings and rod ends

Plain Bushings – Efficient and Maintenance-Free

Benefits:

• Ideal for low-friction applications

• Maintenance-free options: PTFE fabric, TEX filament-wound, and metal-polymer composite bushings

• Resistant to corrosion, wear, and high loads

Applications: wind turbines, cranes, industrial trucks, and underwater systems

Spherical Plain Bearings and Rod Ends

Spherical Bearings

• Maintenance-required: steel/steel or steel/bronze sliding surfaces

• Maintenance-free: composite sliding materials for minimal friction

Rod Ends

• Self-lubricating, maintenance-free or maintenance-required

• Available with internal/external threads and corrosion protection

• Clamping and welding options

High-performance sealing system:

• Protection from water, dust, and contamination

• Temperature range: −30 °C to +100 °C (short periods up to 130 °C)

Special Solutions for Demanding Applications

Viiplus develops custom bearings and assemblies tailored to your needs:

• Corrosion-resistant materials and coatings like Corrotect

• RS/TS seals for contaminated environments

• Condition monitoring for early detection and reduced downtime

Why Choose Viiplus Plain Bearings

• Certified reliability: tested in-house and externally

• Long-lasting performance: low wear, low friction

• Expert support: from technical advice to global delivery

Download our product brochures for detailed specifications and applications.

Contact

Have questions or need a custom solution? Contact Viiplus today for expert support.