What is a Bearing Bush?

As an indispensable component in mechanical equipment, the performance and stability of a bearing bush are directly related to the overall efficiency, durability, and safety of the equipment. From the engine heart of the automotive industry to the powerful drives of construction machinery, from the generator sets in the power industry to the fieldwork of agricultural machinery, oil-free bearing bushes are widely and diversely applied, playing a key role in supporting rotating shafts and reducing friction and wear.

I. Material Characteristics

l Low Friction Coefficient: Bearing bush materials typically have a low friction coefficient, which helps reduce friction between the bush and the shaft journal, improving the operational efficiency of mechanical equipment.

l High Fatigue Strength: Bearing bush materials need to have sufficient fatigue strength to withstand the alternating loads during long-term operation of mechanical equipment, ensuring the stability and durability of the bush.

l Good Wear Resistance: Bearing bush materials should have good wear resistance to reduce wear during operation and extend their service life.

l Excellent Corrosion Resistance: In some special environments, bearing bush materials need to have good corrosion resistance to prevent bush failure due to corrosion.

Common bearing bush materials include:

l Copper Bearing Bush: Copper bearing bushes have good thermal conductivity and wear resistance, widely used in various small and medium-sized mechanical equipment.

l Aluminum Bearing Bush: Aluminum bearing bushes are a lightweight material with a lower density but higher hardness, strength, and wear resistance. However, compared to copper bearing bushes, their thermal conductivity is poorer.

l Steel Bearing Bush: Steel bearing bushes have high hardness and strength, capable of withstanding high loads and high-speed operations. However, steel bearing bushes are costlier and require higher lubrication requirements for the equipment.

l Plastic Bearing Bush: Plastic bearing bushes are lightweight and low-noise, capable of reducing noise pollution in mechanical equipment. However, compared to metal materials, their high-temperature resistance and mechanical strength are poorer.

l Ceramic Bearing Bush: Ceramic bearing bushes have high hardness, high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance, capable of withstanding high loads and high-speed operations. However, ceramic materials are costlier and require higher processing and lubrication requirements for the equipment.

II. Structural Characteristics

l Shape and Fit: Bearing bushes are usually shaped like a semi-cylindrical surface and are very smooth. They adopt a clearance fit with the shaft journal and generally do not rotate with the shaft.

l Oil Film Lubrication: During operation, a very thin oil film is required between the bearing bush and the rotating shaft to lubricate. This helps reduce friction and wear between the bush and the shaft, improving the operational efficiency of the mechanical equipment.

l Multiple Structural Types: Bearing bushes come in various structural types to suit different applications. For example:

n Cylindrical Bearing Bush: The inner bore is cylindrical, suitable for small, low-speed rotating machinery.

n Elliptical Bearing Bush: The inner bore is elliptical, with different clearances in the vertical and horizontal directions, suitable for medium to high-speed rotating machinery.

n Three-Oil-Wedge Bearing Bush: The inner bore has three oil wedges, which can improve shaft stability, reduce vibration and wear, commonly used in large, high-speed rotating machinery.

n Tilting Pad Bearing Bush: Composed of multiple individually swinging pads, it can automatically adjust its position to adapt to complex working conditions and high dynamic loads, widely used in high-speed, high-precision rotating machinery.

III. Application Scenarios

l Automotive Industry: Bearing bushes play a crucial role in automotive engines. They are mainly used to support and fix the crankshaft, ensuring stability during high-speed rotation. At the same time, they reduce friction and wear during crankshaft rotation, enhancing engine stability and durability. In automotive engines, bearing bushes also ensure efficient operation and long-term durability through effective lubrication and cooling.

l Construction Machinery: In excavators, loaders, and other construction machinery, bearing bushes are widely used in various rotating shaft parts. These mechanical devices often operate for long periods in harsh working environments, placing higher demands on the wear resistance and stability of the bearing bushes. High-quality bearing bushes can ensure stable performance of construction machinery under high-intensity work, thereby improving work efficiency and safety.

l Power Industry: In generator sets, bearing bushes are used to support and fix the rotor shaft, ensuring stability during high-speed rotation. Additionally, they reduce friction between the rotor and stator, improving the efficiency and reliability of the generator set. In power systems, the stability and durability of bearing bushes are significant for ensuring the stability and safety of power supply.

l Agricultural Machinery: In agricultural machinery, bearing bushes also play an important role. They are used to support and fix various rotating shafts, reducing friction and wear, and improving the work efficiency and durability of agricultural machinery. For example, in tractors, harvesters, and other agricultural machinery, bearing bushes are commonly used to support and fix key components such as transmission shafts and drive shafts.

l Aerospace: Bearing bushes are also widely used in the aerospace field. Due to the high precision and stability requirements of aerospace equipment, the material and structural design of bearing bushes need to undergo rigorous screening and testing. In aerospace equipment, bearing bushes are mainly used to support and fix various rotating parts, such as engine rotors, transmission shafts, etc., ensuring stability and precision during high-speed rotation.

Furthermore, bearing bushes are widely used in ships, trains, motorcycles, and other fields. In these fields, bearing bushes also play a crucial role in supporting and fixing rotating shafts, reducing friction and wear.

Zhejiang Mingxu Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has specialized in the manufacture of copper alloy products, including bearing bushes, for over a decade, possessing rich R&D and manufacturing experience. Our products are exported to various countries and have received widespread praise and favor from customers. If you have any needs related to copper bearing bushes, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected].