self-lubricating bushes composite bearing material developed specifically to operate with marginal lubrication and consists of three bonded layers: a steel backing strip and a sintered porous bronze matrix, impregnated and overlaid with a pigmented acetal copolymer bearing material
Bimetal Bearings

Bimetal Bearings

Discover our plain bearings: Flange bearings, sleeve bushings, and thrust washers. Customizable bushing materials available. Our products are wear-resistant, maintenance-free, and designed to withstand dirt, dust, and corrosion.

Metal and Bimetal Bearings – For Industrial Applications

Guide to Steel Bimetal Bushings: Alloys and Applications, Bushing with joint type


Introduction to Metal and Bimetal Bearings

Bearings are quintessential to the smooth operation of machinery. They play a pivotal role in facilitating movement and minimizing friction. Traditional metal bearings have served industries for ages. However, bimetal bearings have recently emerged as a game-changer. By fusing two distinct metals, they present a synergy that accentuates the strengths and compensates for the weaknesses of each metal.


The Importance of Steel Bimetal Bushings

In the realm of bimetal bearings, steel bimetal bushings are particularly noteworthy. Their distinguishing feature is the robust steel backing which confers unparalleled structural integrity. When married with an apt bronze alloy, these bushings not only guarantee superior wear resistance but also position themselves as the go-to choice for applications that brook no compromise on quality and durability.


Bronze Alloys: CuPb10Sn10, CuPb3Zn6Sn6, CuPb7Sn7Zn3

CuPb10Sn10: A stalwart in the world of bronze alloys, CuPb10Sn10 is revered for its outstanding wear resistance. It shines especially in scenarios marked by medium to high velocities and loads.

CuPb3Zn6Sn6: This alloy is a paragon of balance, offering a harmonious blend of strength and ductility. Its niche lies in applications where fatigue resistance is paramount.

CuPb7Sn7Zn3: A champion against corrosion, CuPb7Sn7Zn3 is the alloy of choice when the operational environment is riddled with moisture or corrosive agents.


Benefits of Using Steel-Backed Bimetal Bearings

The magic of steel-backed bimetal bearings lies in their duality. The steel confers structural tenacity, while the bronze alloy brings its unique set of attributes to the table. This powerful combination translates to reduced wear, fewer maintenance interventions, and an extension in the lifespan of the equipment.


Applications and Industries Benefiting from Bimetal Bearings

Bimetal bearings are not just versatile; they are ubiquitous. Whether it’s the automotive powerhouse, the behemoths of heavy machinery, or the avant-garde aerospace sector, these bearings have carved a niche for themselves. Their adaptability, coupled with their resilience, has rendered them indispensable in industries that set the bar high for performance and reliability.


Maintenance Tips for Prolonged Life of Bearings

Regular Lubrication: The lifeblood of bearings, proper lubrication is non-negotiable. It keeps friction in check and nips premature wear in the bud.

Routine Inspections: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regular checks can spotlight signs of wear or damage, enabling timely interventions.

Proper Storage: Bearings thrive in cool, arid conditions. Ensuring such a storage environment keeps rust and degradation at bay.

Avoid Overloading: Machines have their limits. Respecting these boundaries by avoiding overloading can spare the bearings from undue stress.

To surmise, steel bimetal bushings, when paired with the right bronze alloy, are nothing short of a marvel. They address the unique challenges posed by high-demand applications with aplomb. By investing time in understanding their nuances and championing their maintenance, industries can unlock a world of durability and efficiency that these bushings promise.

VIIPLUS Bimetal Bearings: A Reliable Solution for Heavy-Duty Applications

Bearings play a crucial role in the smooth operation of various industrial equipment. They are used to support the rotating shafts and reduce friction between moving parts. However, selecting the right type of bearing for a specific application is crucial to ensure long-term performance and reliability. One of the popular types of bearings used in heavy-duty applications is bimetal bearings. In this article, we will discuss VIIPLUS bimetal bearings, their features, and benefits.

Bi-Metal Bearings Material Range: Exploring Alloy Grades for Optimal Performance

Bi-metal bearings are a popular choice in various applications due to their unique combination of materials. These bearings consist of two distinct layers: a steel or bronze backing and a softer alloy layer, typically made of tin, lead, or aluminum. The combination of materials offers an excellent balance of strength, wear resistance, and load-carrying capacity, making bi-metal bearings suitable for a wide range of applications. In this article, we will discuss the different alloy grades used in bi-metal bearings and their characteristics to help you choose the right material for your needs.

Table: Bi-Metal Bearing Alloy Grades and Characteristics

Alloy Grade Main Constituents Properties Typical Applications
SAE-792 CuPb10Sn10 (copper-lead-tin) High load capacity, good fatigue strength, medium speed Automotive and industrial engines
SAE-794 CuPb24Sn4 (copper-lead-tin) High fatigue strength, good wear resistance, low speed Heavy machinery, compressors
SAE-49 CuPb24Sn (copper-lead-tin) Good fatigue strength, high load capacity, low speed Marine engines, heavy-duty equipment
SAE-797 CuPb10Sn10 (copper-lead-tin) Good wear resistance, high fatigue strength, low speed Diesel engines, pumps, compressors
AlSn20Cu AlSn20Cu (aluminum-tin-copper) High load capacity, good corrosion resistance, light weight Automotive engines, gearboxes
AlSn10Si4Cu1 AlSn10Si4Cu1 (aluminum-tin-silicon-copper) Good wear resistance, high fatigue strength, light weight High-performance engines, gearboxes

Choosing the Right Alloy Grade

The choice of the appropriate alloy grade for your bi-metal bearings depends on the specific requirements of your application. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the right alloy grade:

  1. Load capacity: The ability of a bearing to support loads is a critical factor in many applications. Higher load capacities can help prevent premature failure and extend the bearing’s service life. If your application requires high load-carrying capacity, consider using an alloy grade such as SAE-792, SAE-49, or AlSn20Cu.
  2. Fatigue strength: Fatigue strength refers to the ability of a material to withstand repeated loading and unloading without failure. For applications that involve high cyclic stresses, such as engines or heavy machinery, alloy grades like SAE-794, SAE-797, or AlSn10Si4Cu1 can offer superior fatigue strength.
  3. Wear resistance: Wear resistance is crucial for applications with constant contact between surfaces, as it can help reduce material loss and extend the service life of the bearing. Alloy grades like SAE-794, SAE-797, or AlSn10Si4Cu1 can provide excellent wear resistance.
  4. Operating speed: The speed at which a bearing operates can impact the choice of alloy grade. For low-speed applications, consider using alloy grades like SAE-794, SAE-49, or SAE-797. For medium to high-speed applications, SAE-792 or AlSn20Cu might be more suitable.
  5. Corrosion resistance: If your application involves exposure to corrosive environments or chemicals, opt for an alloy grade with high corrosion resistance, such as AlSn20Cu.

What are Bimetal Bearings?

Bimetal bearings are composed of two different materials – a soft inner layer and a hard outer layer. The soft layer is usually made of a low-friction material such as bronze, while the hard layer is made of a high-strength material such as steel. The soft layer provides excellent bearing properties, while the hard layer provides high load-carrying capacity and wear resistance. This combination makes bimetal bearings ideal for heavy-duty applications where high loads, low speeds, and oscillating movements are present.

VIIPLUS is a global supplier in the production of self-lubricating bearings, including bimetal bearings. VIIPLUS bimetal bearings feature a unique construction that combines a steel backing with a layer of sintered bronze or iron. The steel backing provides high mechanical strength, while the sintered layer provides excellent wear resistance and low friction. The sintered layer is impregnated with a solid lubricant, which provides self-lubricating properties and reduces maintenance requirements.

Features and Benefits of VIIPLUS Bimetal Bearings

  1. High Load-Carrying Capacity: VIIPLUS bimetal bearings can withstand high loads due to their steel backing. They are ideal for heavy-duty applications where high loads and low speeds are present.
  2. Wear Resistance: The sintered layer of VIIPLUS bimetal bearings is designed to withstand wear and tear caused by constant contact with moving parts. This makes them ideal for applications that involve frequent oscillating movements.
  3. Low Friction: The sintered layer of VIIPLUS bimetal bearings provides low friction, which reduces energy consumption and prevents overheating. This makes them ideal for applications that require high efficiency.
  4. Self-Lubricating: The solid lubricant impregnated in the sintered layer of VIIPLUS bimetal bearings provides self-lubricating properties, which reduce maintenance requirements and increase service life.
  5. Corrosion Resistance: VIIPLUS bimetal bearings are designed to resist corrosion, which makes them ideal for use in harsh environments.

Applications of VIIPLUS Bimetal Bearings

VIIPLUS bimetal bearings are used in various heavy-duty applications, including construction equipment, agricultural machinery, mining equipment, and marine applications. They are also used in applications that require high precision and low noise, such as office equipment, medical devices, and aerospace components.

VIIPLUS bimetal bearings are a reliable solution for heavy-duty applications that require high load-carrying capacity, wear resistance, low friction, and self-lubricating properties. They are designed to withstand harsh environments and provide long-term performance and reliability. VIIPLUS in the production of self-lubricating bearings, including bimetal bearings, and has a proven track record of providing high-quality products and services to its customers. If you are looking for a reliable solution for your heavy-duty application, VIIPLUS bimetal bearings are definitely worth considering.

Metal Bearings: Global China Supplier in High-Performance Bimetal Bearing Solutions. Bimetallic bushing. Ideal for industrial applications. Maintenance-Free. Customer Support. Easy assembly.

The standard sizes are fitted with lubrication indents on the running surface. For standard bearings is normally the steel backing copper plated to improve the corrosion resistance. The layer of lead bronze makes it possible to use these bearings with relative long lubrication intervals.

Bimetal-bearings can be manufactured with a thicker lead bronze layer for applications where the bearing has to be machined after mounting. The material of the layer can be fitted to the special needs for the application in question.

Viiplus bimetal bushes are composed of two metal strips, in two different materials; the first is normally in steel, the second is normally constituted by an alloy containing copper, which when coupled with the steel strip acts as an internal covering. Furthermore, some sizes also have an external relubrication hole.

bimetal bushing bearing size

Bimetal bushing material, Bimetal Bearings bronze layer

Bimetal bearings typically consist of two layers: a backing layer and a bearing layer. The backing layer is typically made of a strong, durable material such as steel or bronze, and it provides structural support for the bearing layer. The bearing layer, which is in contact with the rotating shaft, is made of a softer, more wear-resistant material such as bronze.

In the case of bronze bimetal bearings, the bronze layer is the bearing layer. Bronze is a popular choice for bearing materials because it is relatively soft and can conform to the shape of the rotating shaft, providing good bearing properties. It is also corrosion-resistant and has good thermal conductivity, which helps to dissipate heat generated by friction.

The bronze layer in bimetal bearings is typically applied to the backing layer using a process called sintering, which involves heating the two layers together until they bond. The resulting bearing has a strong bond between the backing and bearing layers, providing good durability and resistance to fatigue.

Wrapped 2 layer bearing with bronze sliding layer.Clinch lock of bimetal bushes,

Bimetal bearings are able to handle heavy loads and shock loading conditions. Our bimetal bearings have anti-corrosion capabilities and are easy to install, making them ideal for emergency replacements. viiplus thin walled bearing is available with stainless steel, carbon steel or bronze backing.

Base material: low carbon steel, copper or tin coating can be plated on the outside surface.

Inner wall copper layer: Inner wall copper layer material is mainly CuSn6Zn6Pb3 or CusN6.5P0.1 two kinds of tin bronze and CuPb10Sn10 or CuPb24Sn two kinds of lead bronze, a total of four kinds of copper layer and ALSn20Cu kind of high tin aluminum alloy layer quality customers can choose suitable copper layer material.

Alloy layer thickness standard thickness 0.25mm-0.3mm, can also be according to customer requirements sintering of any thickness of non-standard alloy layer.

Inner wall material performance:

CuPb24Sn4: has high fatigue strength and bearing capacity, impact resistance, but because of the high lead content in the alloy and high density are prone to lead segregation, and reduces the abrasion resistance of the bushing at the same time also makes the combination of alloy layer and steel back strength is reduced, the high cost of the copper layer used in high speed, swing and rotating wages under the condition of bearing.

CuPb10Sn10: have high fatigue strength and bearing capacity good lubrication performance, wear resistance and corrosion resistant performance is good, suitable Yu Zhongzai, medium to high speed and has a larger impact load bearing, mechanical equipment on the use of rolling bearing, the gasket surface pressure is high, and there is the lateral pressure of the sliding bearing, such as rolling rolling, vehicle use bearing, bimetallic bearing shell, and the piston pin set, lining, etc.

CuSn6Zn6Pb3: Good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, easy to process, good casting performance and air tightness, working under general load, medium sliding speed, such as turbine, motor, compressor, piston clutch, connecting rod bushing, rocker arm bushing, etc., the current consumption is relatively large.

Cusn6.5-0.1: Lead-free bimetallic bearing is widely used in the balance axle bushing, gasket, internal combustion engine spindle bushing, connecting rod bushing, rocker arm bushing, oil pump side friction plate, internal combustion engine bushing of medium and small power, train engine bushing, air press bushing, refrigerator, etc.

ALSn20Cu: With moderate fatigue strength and bearing capacity, good corrosion resistance and sliding performance.It can be used with soft shaft, and is often used for small and medium power internal combustion engine bearing bush, train engine bearing bush, air compressor bearing sleeve, etc. It is the best product to replace bimetal alloy.

bimetal bush

Type for bimetal bushing grooves & indentations, Types of Oil Grooves for bimetal bushings,Contact our engineers.

Sintered SAE799 Layer + Steel Backing + Copper Plating / Tin-Plating

SB-799 Material ( CuPb24Sn4, SAE-799, JIS-LBC6 Bronze Alloy )

Bimetal Bushes

Bi-metal bushes in laminated spring and shackles are designed to withstand impacts,vibratory loads as well as friction. Our bi-metal spring bushes are capable to withstand these loads. Also, grooves and grease dots are provided to retain lubricating material and thus reducing extra wear-tear and providing longer life in abnormal working environments.

Characteristics

  • High load capacity
  • Works well even in difficult conditions
  • Good lubrication properties because of lubrication indents
  • Wide range of temperature

Application Field

Bimetal Bushing are widely used in various past of automobile industries such as Truck,,engine, transmission cases, Textile machines,vehicle chassis, steering knuckle, trunnion shaft, leaf spring, motorcycle clutches, wear plating of gear pumps, as well as hoisting machine, etc.

Advantage

The special construction of these bushes means they have good resistance against wear, in particular at medium speed with a medium load, or at low speed with a high load.

Special Techincal Features

The internal surface of the viiplus bimetal bushes can include different types of channels, so as to satisfy the various types of applications and lubrication conditions in which the bushes may be used.

Technical Data

Static 250 N/mm2
Dynamic 140 N/mm2
Load:
Maximum speed:
Oil lubricated <5,0 m/s
Grease lubricated <2,5 m/s
Friction:
0,04 – 0,12 µ depending on lubrication
Temperature range:
-40/ +250 ˚C
Tolerances:
Housing H7
Recommended shaft tolerance f7 or h8

Metal & Bi-Metal Bearings Material Range

Alloy grade Name Main chemical composition% Alloy hardness HB Steel layer hardness HB Main use occasion
cu pb sn zn ni Bi
CuPb10Sn10 JF800 margin 9.0~11.0 9.0~11.0 — — — 60~90 90~120

Bushing, side plate, washer,

  • Drawing details
CuPb3Zn6Sn6 JF850 margin 2.0~4.0 5.0~7.0 5.0~7.0 — — 40~80 90~120
CuPb7Sn7Zn3 JF830 margin 6.0~8.0 6.0~8.0 2.0~4.0 — — 60~90 80~130

Available Types

Bushes, flange bushes, thrust washers, strip and other non-standard parts and so on.

Bimetal Bearings Lubrication

Bi-metal bearings are mainly to be used with oil or grease lubrication.

Special Bimetal Inch Size Design

Bi-Metallic Bushing Technical Data (JF Series)

Types of Grooves and Indents

Various oil grooves and indent types are available for bi-metal bushings to ensure proper lubrication and performance. The groove pattern can be customized according to the application’s load direction, lubrication method, and operating speed.


Lock Types for Bi-Metallic Bushings

Different locking types are designed to secure the bushings during assembly, preventing rotation or displacement under high load or vibration conditions.


Design of Oil Indentations

To ensure full lubrication during operation, the following dimensions for oil indentations are recommended. Unless otherwise specified, these should be manufactured according to the standard below:

Bush O.D. (mm) ≤14–22 22–44 40–50 50–100 100–180
Recommended Number of Lubrication Holes 3 3 3 6 7

Notes:

  • Lubrication holes should be positioned away from the joint seam and the main load-bearing area.

  • The design should ensure easy and effective oil feeding.


Normal Thickness of JF Bi-Metal Bushings and Tolerances

Nominal Thickness (mm) 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 5
Steel Backing Thickness (mm) 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.9 2.3 2.8 3.2 4.0
Bronze Layer Thickness (mm) 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.0
Manufacturable Wall Thickness (mm) 1 +0.25 / +0.15 1.5 +0.25 / +0.15 2 +0.25 / +0.15 2.5 +0.25 / +0.15 3 +0.25 / +0.15 3.5 +0.25 / +0.15 4 +0.25 / +0.15 5 +0.25 / +0.15
Manufactured Wall Thickness (mm) 1 −0.025 1.5 −0.03 2 −0.035 2.5 −0.04 3 −0.045 3.5 −0.05 4 −0.055 5 −0.06

Chemical Composition of JF Bi-Metal Bushings

Material Type JF-800 JF-720 JF-700 JF-20
Cu Remainder Remainder Remainder 0.7–1.3
Pb 9.0–11.0 21.0–27.0 26.0–33.0 —
Sn 9.0–11.0 3.0–4.5 0.5 17.5–22.5
Zn 0.5 0.5 0.5 —
P 0.1 0.1 0.1 —
Fe 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
Ni 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.1
Sb 0.2 0.2 0.2 —
Al — — — Remainder
Si — — — 0.7
Mn — — — 0.7
Ti — — — 0.2
Other ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5

Physical Properties of JF Bi-Metal Bushings

Property JF-800 JF-720 JF-700 JF-20
Max. Static Load Pressure (N/mm²) 150 130 120 100
Tensile Strength (N/mm²) 150 150 200 200
Max. Sliding Speed (Oil, m/s) 5 10 15 25
Coefficient of Friction (Oil) 0.06–0.14 0.06–0.16 0.08–0.16 0.08–0.17
PV Limit (N/mm²·m/s) — Grease 2.8 2.8 2.5 —
PV Limit (N/mm²·m/s) — Oil 10 10 8 6
Fatigue Strength (MPa) 125 115 105 85
bimetal bearings bushings

bimetal bearings bushings

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