Plain bearings, bushes & thrust washers: types, dimensions & brand filters
Sliding-contact designs may be metallic, polymeric or composite; lubrication and PV limits are material-specific.
On this page7 sections ⌄
What is this bearing type?
A plain bearing supports motion through sliding contact, without balls or rollers. Bush, bushing, sleeve bearing and journal bearing are common related terms, but the exact shape and material determine the application.
| Part or design | What it does | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Cylindrical bush | Provides a sliding support around a shaft. | Identify material, installed dimensions and lubrication system. |
| Flanged bush | Adds an end flange to the sleeve form. | Check the specified radial and thrust functions; this is not a housed flange unit. |
| Thrust washer / sliding plate | Provides a sliding surface in a different geometry. | Keep the load direction and supported area explicit. |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally to read all three columns.
Variants that change the answer
Solid, wrapped, metallic, polymer and composite designs have different requirements. Rotation, oscillation and reciprocating movement are possible applications; no single material covers every condition.
What the family name cannot tell you
Do not apply rolling-bearing ABEC grades or a rolling fatigue-life formula automatically to a plain bush. Pressure, sliding speed, temperature, lubrication and wear behaviour require material-specific evidence.
Identify the exact part before comparing
- Determine the actual sliding material and construction.
- Record the shaft surface, housing fit, running clearance and duty cycle.
- Look for the exact material limits before accepting a dimensionally similar substitute.
Technical reference basis: GGB: What Are Plain Bearings?; Bearing Glossary; GGB-DB forms. Explanation and lookup workflow: BearingScope. Manufacturer-specific limits remain attached to the exact product record.
Plain bearings and bushings: materials, motion, lubrication and sizing
A plain bearing supports motion through sliding contact rather than balls or rollers. Start with the motion and load direction, then identify the bearing material, mating surface and lubrication regime. The word 'bushing' alone does not establish any of those limits.
Plain, sleeve, bush and journal: what the names mean
| Term | Meaning | Important boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Plain or sliding bearing | A bearing whose working surfaces slide relative to one another | It can be radial, axial, spherical or linear; it is not limited to shaft rotation. |
| Sleeve bearing / bush / bushing | Usually a cylindrical plain-bearing component around a shaft | Check whether a flange, split, lubricant groove or lining changes the construction. |
| Journal bearing | A radial support around the shaft's journal | Some operate with a hydrodynamic oil film; the name alone does not specify the lubrication regime. |
| Ball bushing | A round-shaft linear bearing with recirculating balls | Despite 'bushing', this is a rolling bearing, not a plain sleeve. |
| Adapter or withdrawal sleeve | A mounting component used with a tapered-bore bearing | It is not itself a sliding bearing surface. |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.
Cylindrical, flanged, split and thrust forms
Shape describes how the component fits and transfers load. A cylindrical sleeve primarily provides radial support. A flanged design may also provide a specified thrust face, while a thrust washer supports axial sliding contact. Do not assume the flange of every bushing has an approved axial capacity.
| Form | Dimensions to record | Selection check |
|---|---|---|
| Cylindrical sleeve | Inside diameter, outside diameter and length | Installed bore and shaft clearance, not just the loose bore. |
| Flanged bush | Sleeve envelope plus flange diameter and thickness | Whether the flange is a working thrust surface or only a locating feature. |
| Split or wrapped bush | Envelope plus seam/orientation details | A split permits manufacture or assembly; it does not imply adjustability. |
| Thrust washer / sliding plate | Working area, thickness and fixing details | Axial load, sliding direction and support behind the surface. |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.
Bronze, brass, PTFE, nylon and composite bushings
For example, GGB DP4-B is a bronze-backed PTFE composite. Its backing and sliding layer do different jobs; describing it simply as a bronze bush loses important information. Brass, bronze and stainless steel are also not interchangeable material names.
| Material description | What it tells you | What still needs evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Solid bronze or other metal | The bearing body is metallic | Exact alloy, lubricant, shaft finish and permitted pressure/speed. |
| Porous oil-impregnated bronze | Oil is retained within a porous structure | Oil specification, operating conditions and machining restrictions. |
| Metal-polymer composite | A metal backing supports a distinct sliding layer | Liner composition, thickness and whether it is for dry, marginally lubricated or fluid-film duty. |
| PTFE-lined bearing | PTFE participates in the working surface | Do not treat a composite lining as a solid PTFE sleeve or as unlimited dry-running capability. |
| Polymer, nylon or acetal bearing | A polymer-based sliding component | An engineered filled bearing material is not interchangeable with an unqualified plastic part. |
| Graphite-containing material | Graphite may be a constituent or insert | Temperature, atmosphere and mating-material limits are product-specific. |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.
Do not rank materials by one advertised maximum temperature, speed or pressure. Those maxima may refer to different test conditions and cannot automatically be used together.
Self-lubricating does not mean every bearing should run dry
A porous oil-impregnated bearing stores liquid lubricant. A solid-lubricant composite uses a different mechanism. A hydrodynamic journal bearing depends on a suitable fluid film. These are three different maintenance decisions, even when all are sold under the broad heading of bushings.
- Identify the exact material and manufacturer's lubrication mode before adding grease or cleaning solvent.
- Check the shaft material, finish, contamination, temperature and motion pattern together.
- For a porous bearing, follow the material-specific cleaning, machining and re-impregnation instructions; do not treat its pores like an ordinary solid-metal surface.
- For a lined dry-running bearing, check whether added lubricant is permitted and whether it will attract contamination or affect the intended sliding system.
- Set inspection and replacement criteria from actual wear, temperature and operating duty, not a universal service interval.
Oilite's machining guidance warns that smeared pores can impair an oil-impregnated bearing. Honing or grinding is not a generic finishing remedy for that material. This is not a blanket machining rule for every solid bronze bush.
Bushing versus ball or roller bearing
There is no universal winner for noise, efficiency or durability. A fan, linkage, pump and heavily loaded pivot impose different motion and maintenance requirements. Replacing a sleeve with a ball bearing is a redesign unless the complete mounting, lubrication and load arrangement has been verified.
| Decision | Plain bearing | Rolling bearing |
|---|---|---|
| Contact mechanism | Sliding surfaces or a supporting fluid film | Balls or rollers between raceways. |
| Start/stop and small oscillations | Material and lubrication must suit repeated boundary-contact duty | Check small-motion lubrication, load and damage mechanisms for the actual design. |
| Space and assembly | Thin sleeves and split forms can suit constrained assemblies | Usually a defined ring/raceway assembly with its own mounting envelope. |
| Friction and heat | Strongly depend on material, speed and lubrication regime | Depend on load, seals, lubricant, preload and internal design. |
| Life assessment | May require wear, temperature, film or pressure-velocity checks | Rolling fatigue life is one check, not the only failure limit. |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.
Projected pressure and sliding speed: a worked example
For a simple radial cylindrical bush under a stated radial load, a first screening value uses projected area: p = F / (d × L). With F in N and d and L in mm, p is N/mm², numerically MPa. Use the effective loaded length, not the outside diameter or the curved surface area πdL.
For steady shaft rotation, sliding speed v = πdn / 60 when d is in metres and n is in rpm. The screening product PV is p × v. A manufacturer's allowable pressure, speed and PV depend on material and duty; PV alone is not a life prediction.
| Illustrative input or result | Value |
|---|---|
| Radial load F | 1,000 N |
| Journal diameter d / effective length L | 20 mm / 25 mm |
| Rotation n | 600 rpm |
| Projected pressure | 1,000 / (20 × 25) = 2 MPa |
| Surface speed | π × 0.020 × 600 / 60 = 0.628 m/s |
| Pressure-velocity product | 2 × 0.628 = 1.257 MPa·m/s |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.
This is a calculation example, not an approved bearing or allowable operating point. Edge loading, shock, oscillation, heat removal and uneven sharing between supports require additional analysis. Do not combine separate catalogue maxima into an invented safe PV limit.
How to measure a bush and check the installed clearance
- Identify the material and complete marking; distinguish the working bore from a mounting sleeve or seal-repair sleeve.
- Record nominal inside diameter, outside diameter and length; add flange, split, groove and lubrication-hole details.
- Measure the shaft and housing using the specified method. A worn working bore is not reliable evidence of the original nominal size.
- Obtain the maker's housing fit and installed-bore requirement. Pressing a thin bush into a housing can change its bore.
- Check operating clearance after the specified mounting procedure; include temperature, shaft deflection and material expansion.
- Do not ream, hone or press harder to correct an unknown fit. Lined and porous materials can require special restrictions.
Nominal d×D×L identifies an envelope, not a universal press fit. No generic interference, shaft tolerance or clearance is prescribed here.
Choosing a plain bearing for a real mechanism
| Motion or environment | First questions | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Slow pivot or linkage | Oscillation angle, reversing load, dirt and inspection access? | A shaft speed of zero means there is no wear. |
| Continuous rotating shaft | Load, speed, starting duty, heat and lubricant supply? | Every sleeve forms a full hydrodynamic film. |
| Linear carriage | Travel, side load, shaft alignment and stick-slip sensitivity? | A rotary bushing rating covers any sliding length or speed. |
| Washdown, chemicals or corrosion | Fluid, concentration, temperature and mating materials? | Stainless backing proves chemical compatibility of the complete bearing. |
| Engine or turbocharger journal | Exact assembly, oil feed, clearance and speed conditions? | Matching bore alone establishes an engine or turbo fitment. |
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally.
Questions to settle before selecting a model
Is a bush the same as a bearing?
A working sliding bush is a type of bearing. 'Bush' can also describe a spacer or other sleeve, so identify its function rather than relying on the name.
Can a sleeve bearing carry axial load?
A plain-bearing arrangement can carry axial load through a specified flange or thrust surface. An ordinary cylindrical sleeve does not automatically provide an approved thrust face.
Are bronze bushes always self-lubricating?
No. Solid bronze, oil-impregnated bronze and bronze-backed lined composites are different constructions with different lubrication requirements.
Can I calculate bushing life from PV alone?
No. PV is a screening quantity, not a universal wear-life equation. Material, motion, mating surface, temperature and the manufacturer's test basis still matter.
Reviewed 2026-10-01. Technical basis: GGB Sleeve Bearing FAQ and Metal-Polymer Bearings; GGB DP4-B Product Reference; Oilite Best Machining Practices; igus Surface Pressure and Surface Speed References; NSK Bearing Basics. Original BearingScope explanation and checklists. General guidance is not a model-specific installation instruction or replacement approval.
Where this family is used
Oscillation, slow motion and compact sliding supports.
Read equipment selection guides →Selection and interchange checks
Check shaft finish, running clearance, pressure-velocity limits, temperature, lubricant and wear allowance.
Full verification checklist →Plain bearings, bushes & thrust washers — actual products
First 12 records. Open all results to filter brands and technical attributes. These are search candidates, not approved replacements.
| Brand / complete designation | Type | d×D×B (mm) | Closure | Original precision | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INAEGB0303-E40 | Bush | 3×4.5×3 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0304-E40 | Bush | 3×4.5×4 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0305-E40 | Bush | 3×4.5×5 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0306-E40 | Bush | 3×4.5×6 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0403-E40 | Bush | 4×5.5×3 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0404-E40 | Bush | 4×5.5×4 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0406-E40 | Bush | 4×5.5×6 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0406-E40-B-6 | Bush | 4×6×6 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0410-E40 | Bush | 4×5.5×10 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0505-E40 | Bush | 5×7×5 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0505-E40-B | Bush | 5×7×5 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| INAEGB0508-E40 | Bush | 5×7×8 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
— = not recorded. Width conventions differ for tapered assemblies, thrust bearings and mounted units. Always inspect the dimensional drawing.
Filter all 1,155 records →All recorded subtypes in this family
Original catalogue descriptions are preserved in the records. Identical display names, including singular/plural variants, share one combined entry. Selecting a subtype opens its brand and technical filters.
No subtype matches this text.
Reference basis & data limits
Manufacturer terminology is retained in the product records. Technical reference basis: JTEKT Basic Bearing Knowledge (boundary dimensions, tolerance classes and lubrication); NSK Bearing ABCs (lubrication, designations and clearance); NTN technical FAQs (closure codes and component interchange); SKF rolling-bearing selection and maintenance references.
Selection workflows and catalogue grouping are BearingScope editorial aids. Verify the current drawing and application requirements before using a candidate. Missing database information is not converted into an assumed match.