Plane Slider Bearing Main Type and Use

Plane Slider Bearing Main Types

1. Sleeve plain bearing: The most common cylindrical bushing
2. Flanged plain bearing: With flange for axial positioning
3. Thrust plain bearing: Mainly bears axial load
4. Split plain bearing: Split type bearing shell
5. Spherical plain bearing: Also known as spherical plain joint bearing

Features: No balls or rollers. Common materials: bronze, PTFE composite, POM. Suitable for heavy load, low speed and vibration absorption applications.

How to choose a suitable Plain Slider Bearing

Step 1: Confirm plane slider bearing working conditions

1. Load: magnitude, radial / axial / combined load, static or dynamic, shock load
2. Motion type: continuous rotation, oscillation, reciprocating linear sliding
3. Sliding speed (v) & operating temperature (normal & peak temperature)
4. Environment: dust, water, chemical corrosion, clean/food grade
5. Maintenance requirement: need regular lubrication or maintenance-free (self-lubricating)
6. Installation space & assembly method

Step 2: Select plane slider bearing structure type (match what we listed before)

• Sleeve plain bearing (cylindrical bushing): Pure radial load, simple installation, most common
• Flanged plain bearing: Radial load + need axial positioning
• Thrust plain bearing: Mainly carry axial thrust load
• Split plain bearing: Easy assembly/disassembly for large shafts, gearboxes, heavy equipment
• Spherical plain bearing: For misalignment, oscillating swing motion, compensate shaft deflection

• Step3: Calculate plane slider bearing PV value (most critical check)

  • p (specific pressure, MPa) = Load F / Contact area (bearing length L × shaft diameter D)
  • v (sliding velocity, m/s)
  • PV = p × v

  The calculated PV must be lower than the allowable PV limit of bearing material (add safety factor for shock load). If PV exceeds limit, bearing will overheat, wear rapidly or seize up

  Common plane slider bearing material options

  1. Bronze / solid brass: High load, medium speed, needs oil/grease lubrication
  2. Sintered oil-impregnated metal: Self-lubricating, light-medium load, intermittent operation
  3. Metal-PTFE composite: Dry running, low friction, medium PV, maintenance-free
  4. Plastic (POM / PEEK): Corrosion resistance, low noise, light load, limited temperature
  5. Graphite embedded bronze: Dry running, high temperature, heavy low-speed load
  6. 

  Step4: Check plane slider bearing clearance, shaft & housing

  • Select proper diametral clearance, reserve space for thermal expansion
  • Shaft surface roughness & hardness directly affect bearing life; hard, smooth shaft surface recommended

  Step5: Plane slider bearing Lubrication selection

  • Hydrodynamic oil lubrication: high speed, continuous running, long life
  • Grease lubrication: medium speed, easy sealing
  • Self-lubricating (PTFE / oil sintered): no refueling, hard-to-maintain positions

  Step6: Final check

  • Service life target
  • Cost (initial price vs maintenance cost)
  • Tolerance & precision requirement