SAE 660 Bronze Bushing for Shipyard Applications

Marine-Grade C93200 Bronze Bearings for Heavy-Duty Equipment

Shipyards operate in some of the harshest mechanical environments: heavy loads, shock impact, salt exposure, and inconsistent lubrication. Selecting the right bearing material is critical for durability, safety, and reduced downtime.

SAE 660 bronze bushing (C93200) is one of the most widely used copper alloys in marine and shipyard equipment due to its excellent wear resistance, embeddability, and anti-seizing performance.

What Is SAE 660 (C93200) Bronze?

SAE 660 is a leaded tin bronze alloy engineered for medium-load, low-to-moderate speed applications.

Key Properties

• Excellent anti-friction characteristics

• Strong resistance to seizure

• Good embeddability for contaminants

• High machinability

• Suitable for boundary lubrication conditions

Typical hardness: HB 65–80
Best suited for: Heavy-duty sliding and oscillating movement

Main Shipyard Applications of SAE 660 Bronze Bushings

1. Stern Tube & Shaft Line Bearings

SAE 660 bronze bushings are commonly used in:

• Intermediate shaft bearings

• Dry stern tube systems

• Propeller shaft support sleeves

Why It Works

• Handles misalignment and shock loads

• Performs well under start-stop conditions

• Suitable for grease-lubricated marine systems

Engineering Solution

• Precision-machined thick-wall bronze sleeve

• Spiral or axial lubrication grooves

• Controlled running clearance (0.001–0.0015 × shaft diameter)

• Surface roughness Ra 0.8–1.6 μm

For full seawater immersion systems, alternative materials such as aluminum bronze may be evaluated.

2. Rudder System & Pintle Bearings

Typical applications include:

• Rudder stock bushings

• Pintle and gudgeon bearings

• Steering hinge sleeves

Working Conditions

• Low-speed oscillating movement

• High unit pressure

• Strong impact loads

Recommended Design

• SAE 660 solid bronze bushing

• Grease grooves or graphite plug option

• Flanged or press-fit installation

• Hardened stainless steel shaft pairing

3. Deck Machinery & Crane Pivot Points

Widely used in:

• Anchor windlass shafts

• Marine winch bearings

• Shipyard crane pivot bushings

• Capstan support sleeves

Operational Challenges

• Dust and contamination

• Irregular lubrication

• Shock loading

Practical Solution

• SAE 660 with grease lubrication system

• Integrated oil holes and grease nipples

• Optional sealing rings for contamination control

4. Slipway, Dockyard & Heavy Handling Systems

Applications include:

• Slipway roller bushings

• Dock gate hinges

• Ship transfer trolley sleeves

• Heavy transport rail systems

Performance Requirements

• Extremely heavy static loads

• Low-speed or intermittent movement

• High structural stress

Engineering Approach

• Thick-wall centrifugal cast bronze tube

• Induction-hardened shaft (HRC 45+)

• Segmented machining for ultra-long bushings

• Hydraulic or thermal installation

Large Size Bronze Bushings for Shipyards

For oversized dimensions such as:

OD 190mm × ID 125mm × Length 4500mm

Recommended production method:

• Centrifugal cast bronze tube

• Sectional machining (1–1.5m per segment if required)

• Precision boring for concentricity control

• On-site alignment installation

Long-length marine bushings require careful control of straightness, roundness, and transport stability.

When to Choose SAE 660 Bronze

Why Shipyards Choose SAE 660 Bronze Bushings

• Cost-effective marine bearing solution

• Proven reliability in heavy industry

• Easy machining for custom dimensions

• Strong global availability

• Compatible with hardened steel shafts

Custom Marine Bronze Bushing Manufacturer

We supply:

• Centrifugal cast SAE 660 bronze tubes

• Custom-machined bronze sleeve bushings

• Flanged bronze bearings

• Extra-long marine bushings

• OEM shipyard replacement parts

Available with:

• Lubrication grooves

• Oil holes

• Graphite plugs

• Custom tolerances

Request a Quote

If you are sourcing SAE 660 bronze bushings for shipyard equipment, please provide:

• Outer Diameter (OD)

• Inner Diameter (ID)

• Length

• Load condition

• Lubrication type

Our engineering team will recommend the most suitable marine bearing solution for your project.