Plain Bushings, precision manufacturing. building the future.
We analyze a product’s application to develop customized, high-performance bearing solutions.We offer an extensive range of plain and flanged slide bearings for a wide variety of applications. With a broad selection of both metric sizes and custom dimensions, we are one of the most trusted suppliers in the industry. Whether you need custom sleeve bushings made to your exact specifications or prefer to choose from our large selection of standard options, we’ve got you covered. Our efficient logistics and short lead times ensure that we are a reliable and timely partner for all your bearing needs. All plain bearings feature built-in intelligence.
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Our complete product range， Plain bushings bronze, maintenance-free, Customized plain bearings to deliver optimal performance
Our slide bearings at a glance.
Plain Bearings from Viiplus
Plain bush bearings are metal-reinforced and self-lubricated with a low-friction compound tape layer.
Plain bearings have long established themselves as essential components in a variety of applications, ranging from electrical appliances and machine construction to plant engineering. They are vital in motors, pumps, gearboxes, shafts, transportation systems, and feeding mechanisms. You’ll also find them in household and portable devices such as mixers, drills, and PC fans.
The Advantages of Ready-to-Install Plain Bearings
Manufactured from a range of materials, including steel-bronze-plastic composites or pure sintered bronze, these plain bearings are robust, nearly wear-free, and maintenance-free. They offer numerous benefits: quiet operation, resilience against dirt, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand vibrations. Whether used as dry or self-lubricating bearings, they ensure reliable performance—from compact electric motors to large-scale pumps, presses, or gearboxes. With a comprehensive catalog at hand, you can easily find the ideal solution for your needs.
How Plain Bearings Function
Unlike ball bearings, which rely on rolling elements, plain bearings operate with two surfaces sliding against each other. Friction can be minimized by using low-friction material combinations or proper lubrication. Their straightforward design gives plain bearings a cost advantage over more complex roller bearings.
Material Options for Plain Bearings
Plain bearings are crafted from metals, plastics, or a blend of the two. Ceramics are also employed in certain designs. Common materials include sintered bronze, steel, brass, and bimetal. Sintered bronze bearings, for example, excel in handling high loads and performing in heavily contaminated environments where roller bearings might struggle. Key advantages include:
- Maintenance-free operation
- No need for additional lubrication
- Low wear rates
- Reliable performance in continuous applications, such as electric motors and household appliances
- High resistance to chemicals
- Compliance with the EU RoHS Directive
- Available in stock from Viiplus in sizes ranging from 6–50 mm inner diameter, including bushes, flanged bushes, and thrust washers
Common Applications
For engineers and designers, Viiplus plain bearings are versatile, easy to install, and well-suited for a range of scenarios. Typically used in medium to low-speed, high-load applications, plain bearings shine in situations where vibrations are likely—whether in rotational, oscillating, or linear movements. Compact installation spaces further favor composite plain bearings, which can support lubricated applications and rotational or oscillating movements without the stick-slip effect or water absorption.
Viiplus’s rolled composite plain bearings, made from steel-sintered bronze compositeare designed for dry running. These bearings feature a copper-tin layer for corrosion resistance and a PTFE sliding layer that minimizes friction. After a brief run-in period, the PTFE layer forms a fine, durable lubricating film. Such bearings are perfect for environments where lubricant contamination is unacceptable, including medical devices and sports equipment.
Versatility and Advantages Across Industries
From automotive and aviation to renewable energy and fluid technology, plain bearings deliver a host of benefits:
- Automotive and Aviation: Contribute to lighter, more energy-efficient designs.
- Renewable Energy: Offer nearly maintenance-free operation and superior corrosion resistance in wind and hydroelectric power systems.
- Fluid Technology: Provide ideal solutions for gear and piston pumps, even under high hydraulic fluid exposure, thanks to low wear rates.
In some drive systems, oil lubrication is necessary due to load or speed demands. Viiplus’s self-lubricating sintered bronze or iron bearings utilize a capillary system to store and release oil. This process forms a sliding layer between the shaft and bearing wall during operation, and reabsorbs excess oil when idle—resulting in a nearly maintenance-free solution.
Order Your Plain Bearings Online
Viiplus offers an extensive selection of plain bearings, including various types and sizes tailored to your specific needs. Alongside these plain bearings, we also provide standardized and inch-size cast bronze bearings produced by continuous and centrifugal casting. As a comprehensive supplier, Viiplus is dedicated to serving as an innovative partner for technicians, designers, and engineers, helping you achieve the ideal solution for your applications.
Our solid lubricant pockets are designed to accommodate axial and radial movements, as well as simultaneous movement in two sliding directions, depending on your specific requirements. These pockets are available in a variety of bearing materials to suit your application needs.
Benefits
- Maintenance-free / Low-maintenance
- Cost-effective (eliminates the need for expensive lubrication systems)
- No oil or grease contamination
- Seawater-resistant
- No stick-slip issues
- Temperature-resistant
- Custom-made to your precise specifications, drawings, and quantities
- Highly flexible due to made-to-order production
- Ideal for medium to high loads with low sliding speeds, oscillating movements, and intermittent operation
- Perfect for applications where oil and grease are not suitable
Types
- Plain bearing bushes
- Thrust washers
- Bearing pads
- Custom drawing parts
Applications
- Mechanical engineering
- Automotive industry
- Steelworks
- Rolling mill machinery
- Locks and weirs for surface and underwater engineering
- Industrial furnace manufacturing
- Food and packaging machinery
- And more
With our diverse range of self-lubricating bronze alloys, we offer flexible solutions tailored to your application. Find the ideal material to meet your specific needs.
Thrust Washers
Our thrust washers are made from self-lubricating strip, tube, and rod materials. Washers punched from strip material are especially cost-effective when produced in large quantities. We offer thrust washers in a wide range of dimensions and materials, whether made from strip, tube, or rod, with customization options available to meet your specific design requirements.
With a variety of alloys to choose from, we provide an extensive selection of materials to find the perfect solution for your application.
Materials – Thrust Washers
Our thrust washers made from strip material are available in the following dimensions and designs:
Dimension Range:
- Plain running surface: Up to 155 mm diameter
- With lubrication indents: Up to 110 mm diameter
- Standard thicknesses: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm
- Custom sizes available upon request
Additional Designs:
- With grooves
- With safety dogs
- As a segment
- Curved / Convex
We offer a wide range of materials and custom options to meet your specific application requirements.
Thrust Washers – From Tube
Our thrust washers made from tube material are available in the following designs:
- Both-sided plain surfaces
- One or both-sided lubrication grooves
- Fixation grooves / holes
- Maximum washer diameter is determined by the largest manufacturable tube and rod dimensions
These washers can be customized to suit a variety of application needs, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
Turned Bushings
Our turned bushings are precision-crafted to meet the exact specifications of your application. Manufactured from a wide range of high-quality alloys, these bushings offer outstanding performance in various industries, including mechanical engineering, automotive, steelworks, and more. We provide a comprehensive selection of materials to ensure you can find the ideal solution for your specific needs, whether it’s for heavy-duty machinery, low-friction environments, or extreme operating conditions.
Available Alloys:
We offer a diverse range of alloys for our turned bushings, each selected for its unique characteristics and suitability for different applications:
- Bronze Alloys: Ideal for applications requiring good wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-lubricating properties. Common alloys include tin bronze (CuSn), aluminum bronze (CuAl), and leaded bronze (CuPb), perfect for medium to heavy load applications.
- Copper Alloys: Known for their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, copper alloys are ideal for applications where heat dissipation is crucial, such as in motors and electrical machinery.
- Steel Alloys: For high-strength applications, steel alloys offer durability and are typically used in demanding conditions where high mechanical stress is involved.
- Stainless Steel: For environments that require superior corrosion resistance and strength, stainless steel bushings provide a reliable solution, especially in industries like food processing, pharmaceuticals, and marine applications.
- Self-lubricating Materials: We offer bushings made from self-lubricating materials such as graphite-impregnated bronze and composite materials, reducing maintenance needs and extending service life, particularly in high-load or low-maintenance applications.
Benefits of Turned Bushings:
- Precision Manufacturing: Each bushing is turned to the highest tolerances, ensuring a perfect fit for your application.
- Durability: We select only the highest-quality materials to provide long-lasting, reliable performance under varying load and temperature conditions.
- Customization: Custom designs are available to meet your unique requirements, whether you need specific dimensions, surface treatments, or material specifications.
- Versatility: Our turned bushings are used in a wide range of applications, including automotive components, machinery, pumps, conveyors, and more.
Applications:
- Mechanical Engineering: Ideal for use in gears, shafts, and other moving parts within complex machinery.
- Automotive: Used in engine components, suspension systems, and drivetrain parts.
- Marine Industry: Offering corrosion resistance and durability for shipbuilding and repair.
- Industrial Machinery: Essential for machines that operate under heavy loads and need to withstand wear and tear.
- Agricultural Equipment: Providing reliable movement in farming machinery exposed to harsh conditions.
CuSn8 Bronze Wrapped Bearings (Rolled Bushings)
CuSn8 bronze, also known as C83600 or 8% tin bronze, is a high-performance bearing material widely used in industrial applications due to its excellent wear resistance, high load-bearing capacity, and self-lubricating properties. When formed into wrapped bronze bearings, these bushings are ideal for high-load, low-speed applications where low maintenance and long service life are critical.
Design Features of CuSn8 Bronze Wrapped Bearings:
1. Plain Sliding Surfaces:
- Smooth Contact: The CuSn8 bronze bearings feature plain, smooth sliding surfaces that offer minimal friction against shafts or journal surfaces. This reduces wear on both the bearing and the mating components, increasing operational efficiency and longevity.
- Self-Lubricating: In many cases, CuSn8 bearings are equipped with self-lubricating features, such as embedded graphite plugs or the incorporation of grooves to facilitate lubrication distribution along the bearing surface. This is ideal for environments where additional lubrication may be challenging to maintain.
2. Flanged Design:
- Retention and Positioning: The flange on the wrapped bushing provides an easy method for assembly and ensures the bearing stays in position within its housing, preventing axial movement. The flange also helps in preventing the bearing from dislodging under extreme load conditions.
- Stability in Applications: Flanged bearings are essential in applications where axial loading is frequent, providing better support and preventing potential misalignment.
3. Grooves for Lubrication Supply:
- Oil Grooves: To further enhance lubrication performance, CuSn8 wrapped bearings can be designed with internal or external lubrication grooves. These grooves provide a direct channel for lubricants to reach the bearing’s sliding surface, reducing friction and extending the service life of both the bearing and the shaft.
- Customizable Groove Patterns: The pattern, depth, and positioning of the lubrication grooves can be customized based on application requirements to optimize lubrication flow and performance. Typical patterns include straight or spiral grooves that ensure an even distribution of the lubricant.
4. Lubrication Holes:
- Strategic Placement of Holes: Lubrication holes are drilled or pressed into the bearing at specific locations to facilitate a continuous supply of lubricant to the bearing’s surface. This is especially important in high-speed or high-load applications where maintaining a thin film of lubricant is critical to reduce wear.
- Optimal Hole Patterns: The hole patterns can be designed to match specific requirements, such as multiple holes around the circumference or axial channels along the bearing. The location of the holes is carefully chosen to ensure even lubrication across the entire bearing surface.
- Reduced Maintenance Needs: With properly configured holes and grooves, the bearing requires less frequent manual lubrication, reducing maintenance intervals and improving overall system efficiency.
5. Enhanced Durability:
- Wear Resistance: CuSn8 bronze provides superior wear resistance, making these wrapped bearings highly durable and capable of handling heavy loads with minimal degradation over time.
- Corrosion Resistance: CuSn8 also exhibits good resistance to corrosion, which is essential in harsh environments such as those with moisture, chemicals, or sea water. This characteristic ensures the longevity and reliability of the bearings even in challenging operating conditions.
- High Load Capacity: Due to its high tin content, CuSn8 bronze is able to withstand significant radial loads, making it suitable for industrial machinery, automotive components, and heavy-duty applications.
Applications of CuSn8 Wrapped Bearings:
CuSn8 bronze wrapped bearings with lubrication holes and grooves are commonly used in:
- Automotive: Engine components, suspension systems, and drivetrains.
- Industrial Machinery: Bearings in pumps, compressors, conveyors, and other heavy machinery.
- Marine: Shaft bearings, rudder bearings, and other critical components exposed to saltwater environments.
- Construction Equipment: Bearings in excavators, loaders, and other heavy equipment where durability is essential.
Customization Options:
- Groove Design: Tailored to specific lubrication requirements and application conditions.
- Hole Size and Pattern: Adjusted to match the operating speed and lubrication system of the application.
- Surface Treatment: Additional surface treatments such as hardening, or coating options (e.g., lead-free coatings) can be applied to enhance wear resistance or corrosion resistance, especially in more extreme environments.
In conclusion, CuSn8 bronze wrapped bearings with lubrication grooves and holes are a robust, versatile solution for a wide range of industrial applications. Their ability to self-lubricate and distribute oil efficiently, combined with excellent wear resistance, makes them an ideal choice for demanding environments requiring high load capacity and durability.
Plain Bearing Dimensions and Tolerances
- Outer Diameter (d) and Tolerance:
- The outer diameter (d) of the bearing is given in ranges.
- The tolerance specifies the allowable variation in the outer diameter, with both upper and lower limits provided.
- Bearing Inner Diameter Size (d):
- The inner diameter size is also given in ranges, which corresponds to the shaft size the bearing will fit onto.
- Wall Thickness Nominal Size:
- This is the standard or nominal wall thickness of the bearing.
- Wall Thickness Tolerance:
- The tolerance specifies the allowable variation in the wall thickness, with both upper and lower limits provided.
Chart Details:
| Outer Diameter (d) | Outer Diameter Tolerance | Bearing Inner Diameter Size (d) | Wall Thickness Nominal Size | Wall Thickness Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <10 | +0.055 +0.025 | 10<d<18 | 1.0 | +0.020 +0.045 |
| 10<d<18 | +0.065 +0.030 | 20<d<28 | 1.5 | +0.025 +0.055 |
| 18<d<30 | +0.075 +0.035 | 28<d<45 | 2.0 | +0.030 +0.065 |
| 30<d<50 | +0.085 +0.045 | 45<d<80 | 2.5 | +0.040 +0.085 |
| 50<d<80 | +0.100 +0.055 | 80<d | 2.5 | +0.050 +0.115 |
| 80<d<105 | +0.120 +0.070 | |||
| 105<d<180 | +0.170 +0.100 | |||
| 180<d<250 | +0.210 +0.130 | |||
| 250<d<305 | +0.260 +0.170 |
Key Points:
- Outer Diameter Tolerance: As the outer diameter increases, the tolerance range also increases. This is typical in manufacturing, where larger dimensions can have slightly wider tolerances.
- Wall Thickness: The nominal wall thickness increases with the inner diameter size, which is expected as larger bearings need thicker walls to maintain structural integrity.
- Tolerances: Both outer diameter and wall thickness tolerances are provided to ensure that the bearings fit correctly within their intended applications. The tolerances are critical for ensuring that the bearings operate smoothly without excessive play or interference.
Application:
This chart is useful for engineers and designers who need to select or design plain bearings for specific applications. The tolerances ensure that the bearings will fit properly within the housing and on the shaft, providing the necessary support and reducing friction.
If you have any specific questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
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Overview of Technical Data
| Parameter | Solid Bronze | Wrapped Bronze | PTFE Composite | POM Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permissible load (dyn/stat), N/mm² | 25 / 45 | 40 / 120 | 80 / 250 | 120 / 250 |
| Permissible sliding velocity, m/s | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Friction coefficient μ | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.03 – 0.25 | 0.02 – 0.20 |
| Temperature range, °C | -40 .. +250 | -40 .. +150 | -200 .. +250 | -40 .. +110 |
| Shaft tolerance | e7 – e8 | e7 – f8 | f7 – h8 | h7 – h8 |
| Housing tolerance | H7 | H7 | H7 | h7 |
| Shaft roughness Ra, μm | 0 .. 1.0 | 0.4 .. 0.8 | 0 .. 0.4 | 0 .. 0.8 |
| Shaft hardness, HB | 165 – 400 | 150 – 400 | 300 – 600 | 150 – 600 |
Plain bearing, polymer composite plain Bushes industries we serve
Plain bearings are ubiquitous in both household appliances and industrial plants. They support loads through sliding or rotary movements while in contact with moving parts. Typically cylindrical, these non-moving components are also known as bushes and are commonly made from materials such as bronze, cast bronze, or steel.
We offer a variety of product configurations to meet your specific requirements. In collaboration with our clients, we continuously innovate and refine our products, ensuring modern, cost-effective manufacturing processes that deliver top-quality performance.
Plain Bushing Manufacturing & Production
Manufacturing on Demand
At VIIPLUS, we specialize in bringing movement to life with our slide bearings. They are used in a wide array of sophisticated applications, from combustion engines—where they serve as piston and connecting rod bushings or rocker arm pins—to modern axle and brake systems, transmissions, differentials, and hydraulic pumps. Our slide bearings are also crucial components in oscillating systems such as booms and grippers found in construction and agricultural machinery.
