Premium, maintenance-free bearing solutions for industrial excellence

Continuous Casting Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings

Our continuous casting self-lubricating bronze bearings, embedded with graphite plugs, offer superior durability and performance in demanding environments. Manufactured to ASTM B505 and EN 1982 standards, these bearings provide high strength, uniform structure, and load capacities up to 500 MPa. Ideal for mining, industrial machinery, and marine applications, our portfolio showcases a diverse range of shapes crafted from raw forms like round bars, hollows, and octagonal profiles.

Explore our offerings below, tailored for high-load, low-speed, and maintenance-free operation.

Our Continuous Casting Bearing Portfolio

Maximize Performance: your Continuous Cast Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearing Types

Continuous Cast Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearing Types

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A continuous cast cylindrical bronze bushing with embedded graphite plugs for self-lubrication, designed for industrial rotating shafts.

Cylindrical Bushes

Tubular design for axial sliding and rotation, with graphite plugs for dry lubrication.

Round Hollows with Round Opening

Rotating shafts, pumps, compressors

  • Uniform wall thickness (continuous cast advantage).
  • Supports medium-to-high radial loads up to 500 MPa.
  • Inner diameters ranging from 10mm to 800mm.
  • Long self-lubricating lifespan in various conditions.

Example: C93200 Cylindrical Bush

  • Dimensions: ID 50mm, OD 60mm, Length 80mm.

  • Material: Leaded Tin Bronze (CuSn7Zn4Pb7-C, approx. C93200).

  • Application: Mining equipment rotating shafts, offering dust resistance and zero maintenance.

A self-lubricating flanged bronze bush with graphite plugs on the inner surface and flange face for axial and radial load support.

Flanged Bushes

Flanged design for axial positioning, with graphite on friction surfaces.

Round Hollows or Round Bars

Automotive suspension, valves, machinery arms

  • Enhanced stability and axial load-bearing capability.
  • Impact-resistant, suitable for temperatures exceeding 200°C.
  • Inner diameters from 10mm to 500mm.
  • Ideal for intermittent operation and environments with high thermal fluctuations.

Example: CuSn7Zn4Pb7-C Flanged Bush

  • Dimensions: ID 40mm, OD 50mm, Length 60mm, Flange OD 70mm, Flange Thickness 10mm.

  • Material: Leaded Tin Bronze (CuSn7Zn4Pb7-C).

  • Application: Automotive suspension pivots, providing stable axial positioning and resistance to oil contamination.

A flat bronze thrust washer designed for axial loads, featuring embedded self-lubricating graphite plugs for maintenance-free operation in gearboxes.

Thrust Washers

Disc-shaped for axial loads, with graphite on contact surfaces.

Flat Bars and Squares

Gearboxes, turbines, valve assemblies

  • Thin-wall design (2-10mm thickness) with high flatness.

  • Optimized for low-speed, high-load axial conditions (up to 25 MPa).
  • Outer diameters from 10mm to 300mm.
  • Excellent for dry or high-temperature axial support.

Example: CuSn5Zn5Pb5-C Thrust Washer

  • Dimensions: OD 100mm, ID 50mm, Thickness 5mm.

  • Material: Leaded Bronze (CuSn5Zn5Pb5-C).

  • Application: Gearbox axial support, providing wear resistance and maintenance-free operation.

A rectangular bronze slide plate with a grid of graphite plugs for maintenance-free linear motion on industrial guide rails.

Slide Plates

Rectangular plates for linear motion, with graphite on sliding surfaces.

Flat Bars and Squares

Guide rails, molds, industrial sliders

Up to 1000x500mm, pore-free, corrosion-resistant.

CuSn10-C plate, 200x100mm, used in mold guide rails.

A pair of bronze half bearings with graphite plugs, designed for split installation on industrial crankshafts and large shafts.

Half Bearings

Semi-circular shells for split installation, with graphite on inner surfaces.

Round or Dodecagonal Hollows

Engine crankshafts, large pump shafts

  • Simplified assembly and field replacement.
  • High fatigue strength, vibration-resistant.
  • Inner diameters from 20mm to 600mm.
  • Ideal for scenarios with high vibration and dynamic loads.

Example: CuPb10Sn10-C Half Bearing

  • Dimensions: ID 100mm, OD 120mm, Length 100mm.

  • Material: High-Leaded Tin Bronze (CuPb10Sn10-C).

  • Application: Marine pump shafts, providing ease of maintenance and resistance to corrosive environments.

A self-aligning spherical plain bearing with a bronze inner ring and graphite plugs to accommodate angular misalignment in linkages.

Spherical Bearings

Spherical joints for angular misalignment, with graphite on contact surfaces.

Round Bars or Hexagonal Hollows

Linkages, vibration equipment, and construction hinges

  • Self-aligning capability (up to ±15° angular misalignment).

  • High wear resistance.
  • Inner diameters from 10mm to 300mm.
  • Suitable for medium-to-high dynamic loads.

Example: CuSn12Ni2-C Spherical Bearing

  • Dimensions: ID 50mm, Spherical OD 80mm.

  • Material: Tin Bronze (CuSn12Ni2-C).

  • Application: Excavator linkages, tolerating vibration and angular movement in heavy construction machinery.

C-shaped split bronze bushings with graphite plugs, designed for easy installation and replacement in heavy machinery.

Split/Pintle Bearings

Multi-piece design for easy replacement, with graphite on contact surfaces.

Octagonal Hollows or Ribbed Profile

Heavy machinery, ship rudder shafts, mining equipment

  • Supports extreme loads (over 1000 MPa).

  • Enhanced heat dissipation due to ribbed profiles (if applicable).
  • Inner diameters from 50mm to 1000mm.
  • Designed for low-speed, high-impact conditions and ease of maintenance.

Example: CuPb10Sn10-C Split Bearing

  • Dimensions: ID 200mm, OD 240mm, Length 150mm (four-piece split).

  • Material: High-Leaded Tin Bronze (CuPb10Sn10-C).

  • Application: Ship rudder shafts, offering exceptional load capacity, corrosion resistance, and simplified field servicing.

An internal view of a bronze groove bushing with spiral grooves and graphite plugs for enhanced self-lubrication in precision machinery.

Hollows with Inner Features

Tubes with grooves for optimized graphite distribution.

Round Hollows with Inner Nocks

High-speed shafts, precision instruments

  • Enhanced and uniform lubrication distribution, even at higher speeds.

  • High precision and excellent high-temperature performance.
  • Inner diameters from 10mm to 500mm.
  • Suitable for dry-running in precision machinery.

Example: CuSn10Zn2-C Grooved Bushing

  • Dimensions: ID 30mm, OD 40mm, Length 100mm (with internal spiral groove).

  • Material: Tin Bronze (CuSn10Zn2-C).

  • Application: Precision machine tool spindles, ensuring stable high-speed, high-temperature operation with optimized self-lubrication.

Tailored designs offer a variety of shapes, each crafted to meet specific application demands, including custom sizes, dimensions, materials, features, and uses for every type, with options for graphite plugging or grooving.

Why Choose Our Bearings?

Customization

Available in standard shapes (e.g., round bars 50-300mm) or custom CNC-machined for unique applications, with continuous casting supporting lengths up to several meters.

Material Excellence

Crafted from alloys like Tin Bronze (CuSn12-C), Leaded Tin Bronze (CuSn7Zn4Pb7-C), High-Leaded Tin Bronze (CuPb10Sn10-C), and Leaded Bronze/Gun Metal (CuSn5Zn5Pb5-C) for optimal load and corrosion resistance.

Performance

Designed for high loads (up to 10 MPa·m/s) and temperatures (-200°C to +400°C), ideal for dry or contaminated environments like mining and marine applications.

Manufacturing Precision

Continuous casting ensures high-density, pore-free bronze with fine grain structure, supporting raw forms like Ribbed Profiles for heat dissipation and Dodecagonal Hollows for secure locking.

Continuous Cast Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings vs. Other Types

Feature Continuous Cast Bronze w/ Graphite Plugs Sintered Bronze Bearings (Porous Bronze) PTFE-Lined Composite Bearings 
Manufacturing Process Continuous casting of high-density bronze, followed by machining and embedding graphite plugs. Powder metallurgy (sintering bronze powder), resulting in porous structure for oil impregnation. Multi-layered composite (steel/bronze backing, porous bronze interlayer, PTFE-based lining).
Lubrication Method Solid Graphite Plugs: Self-lubricating dry running. No external lubrication required. Oil Impregnation: Relies on absorbed oil. Can run dry for limited periods but often requires re-oiling. PTFE Lining: Self-lubricating via transfer film. Requires a clean operating environment.
Load Capacity High: Up to 500 MPa compressive strength. Excellent for heavy static & dynamic loads. Medium: Typically lower compressive strength than solid bronze. Good for light-to-medium loads. Medium-High: Depends on backing and lining. Good for specific PV limits.
Wear Resistance Excellent: Dense bronze structure combined with graphite ensures high wear life, especially in dirty environments. Good: Relies on oil film. Can be prone to wear if oil depletes. Good-Excellent: PTFE lining provides low friction but can be sensitive to abrasion from contaminants.
Temperature Range Wide: -200°C to +400°C. Graphite is stable at high temperatures. Limited: -50°C to +150°C (dependent on oil type). Limited: -200°C to +280°C (PTFE limits). Performance degrades at higher temps.
Maintenance None: Truly maintenance-free for life. Low to Medium: May require periodic re-oiling or replacement. None: Usually maintenance-free, but surface integrity is crucial.
Corrosion Resistance Good: Inherently resistant, especially certain bronze alloys. Variable: Dependent on bronze alloy and lubricant. Variable: Steel backing can corrode if exposed.
Contamination Tolerance High: Graphite operates effectively even with dust, dirt, or abrasive particles. Low: Contaminants can degrade oil film and cause premature wear. Low: Contaminants can damage PTFE lining, leading to failure.
Cost (Relative) Medium-High: Initial cost reflects quality materials and manufacturing. Low-Medium: Generally more economical for lighter-duty applications. Medium: Cost-effective for applications suited to its specific properties.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What exactly are “continuous cast self-lubricating bronze bearings”?
A1: These are bearings made from bronze alloys produced through a continuous casting process, ensuring a dense, uniform, and pore-free material. They are then precision machined and embedded with solid graphite plugs. The graphite provides permanent, dry lubrication, making the bearings self-lubricating and maintenance-free.

Q2: How do graphite plugs provide lubrication without oil or grease?
A2: The graphite plugs contain a high percentage of solid lubricant. As the shaft rotates or slides against the bearing surface, small particles of graphite are transferred to both the bearing and shaft, forming a low-friction, self-renewing lubrication film. This dry film significantly reduces friction and wear.

Q3: Are these bearings suitable for high-speed applications?
A3: Generally, continuous cast self-lubricating bronze bearings are best suited for low to medium-speed applications and high-load conditions. While some specialized designs (like “Hollows with Inner Features”) can be optimized for higher speeds by improving graphite distribution, for very high-speed, low-load applications, different bearing types might be more appropriate. Always consider the PV (pressure-velocity) value of your application.

Q4: Can these bearings operate in submerged or corrosive environments?
A4: Yes, their solid construction and self-lubricating properties make them highly suitable for submerged or corrosive environments, such as marine or chemical processing applications. Unlike oil-impregnated bearings, they won’t leach lubricant, and the bronze alloys offer inherent corrosion resistance.

Q5: What is the typical lifespan of these self-lubricating bearings?
A5: The lifespan is highly dependent on the application’s specific load, speed, temperature, and environmental conditions. However, due to their robust construction and continuous self-lubrication, these bearings typically offer a significantly longer operational life than traditional lubricated bearings, often lasting for tens of thousands of hours without maintenance.

Q6: How do I select the correct bronze alloy for my application?
A6: Alloy selection depends on your specific requirements:

  • High Strength/Hardness: Tin Bronze (e.g., CuSn12-C, CuSn10-C).

  • Improved Dry Running/Machinability: Leaded Tin Bronze (e.g., CuSn7Zn4Pb7-C).

  • Extreme Dry Running/Conformability: High-Leaded Tin Bronze (e.g., CuPb10Sn10-C).

  • Balanced Properties/Corrosion Resistance: Leaded Bronze/Gun Metal (e.g., CuSn5Zn5Pb5-C).
    Consult our technical team with your application parameters for precise recommendations.

Q7: Can Bearingface provide custom-sized or custom-shaped bronze bearings?
A7: Absolutely. Our continuous casting process allows for the production of various raw forms, which can then be CNC machined to precise, custom dimensions and shapes. We specialize in tailoring solutions to meet unique engineering challenges.

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