Key Characteristics:
Sliding Contact:
Unlike rolling element bearings, plain bearings rely on sliding friction between the shaft and the bearing surface.
Simple Design:
They are typically one-piece components, although they can be designed with multiple layers or materials.
Low Speed Applications:
Plain bearings are generally preferred for low-speed applications where high loads and static loads are present.
Various Materials:
They can be made from a wide range of materials, including metal-polymer composites, fiber-reinforced composites, metal or bi-metal, and engineered plastics.
Lubrication:
Plain bearings can be either self-lubricating, relying on the materials themselves to reduce friction, or externally lubricated with oil or grease.
Applications:
Automotive: Used in engine components like connecting rods and crankshafts.
Industrial Machinery: Found in various machines like generators, molding machines, and aircraft.
Static Applications: Ideal for static oscillatory applications like hinges, pivots, and linkages.
High Load Applications: Suitable for applications where high loads are present.
Low-Speed Applications: Well-suited for situations where speed is not a major concern.
Advantages:
Simple Design: Easier to manufacture and install than rolling element bearings.
Quiet Operation: Generally quieter than rolling element bearings due to the lack of rolling elements.
High Load Capacity: Can handle substantial loads.
Variety of Materials: Available in a wide range of materials to suit different application needs.
Maintenance-Free Options: Some plain bearings, like igus’s iglidur plain bearings, are self-lubricating and require no additional lubrication.