What's A Plain Bearing, And How Do They Work?

Also known as bushing, a plain bearing is a mechanical element employed to decrease friction between rotating shafts and stationary support members. Usually, a plan bearing depends on soft metal and an oil film to support the rotary shaft on the toughened shaft journal. Bushings are employed predominantly in mechanisms that have a revolving or a sliding shaft component. Also called sleeve bearings, journal bearing, or sliding bearings, plain bearings have no rolling elements. Some are composed of significantly soft metal, such as Babbit, to safeguard the shaft journals. Depending on the application & load requirements, they’re made of other materials as well.

 

Different types of plane bearings:

Sleeve bearings: Sleeve bearings are the most common kind of plane bearing, and support linear, oscillating or rotating shafts. They work via a sliding action.

Flange bearings: Flange bearings support a shaft that runs vertical to the mounting surface of a bearing. The flange of the bearing can also be employed as a tracing mechanism to hold a sleeve bearing in position. Flange bearings decrease friction between surfaces in rotary & linear movements.

Mounted bearings: To attain a perfect fit, mounted bearings must be engineered precisely to specs. Mounted bearings that fit too loosely can creep or slip on a shaft. Or if the press fit is too tight, free movement can be hindered. To eradicate this issue, plastic plane mounted bearings are available in pillow-block or flange housings, in forms ranging from 2 to four holes.

Thrust bearings: These bearings are engineered with a simple washer to avert metal-to-metal contact in a thrust load application. Plastic thrust bearings are thin, simple to set up and self-lubricating to decrease maintenance outlays.

Spherical bearings: Spherical bearings rotate from 2 directions to recompense for any shaft misalignment. They’re usually called on to support a rotating shaft that requires both rotational & angular movement.