Bronze Bushes

What are Bronze bushes 

In order to properly provide a bearing surface for particular rotational applications, a bushing is a type of bearing that is often installed inside the housing. This specific kind of bearing can increase an operation's effectiveness. It often has a tube or sleeve shape, which reduces energy consumption, noise, and wear.

Bronze is one material that is frequently used to make bushings. Copper, tin, and other elements that contribute to the material's overall composition and physical characteristics are combined to form the alloy known as bronze. Bronze components and goods typically have excellent properties like resistance to corrosion and high/low temperatures, high ductility, and reasonable strength.

The strongest copper-based bearing alloys are aluminium bronzes. They are the only bearing bronzes that can be heat treated and exhibit greater strength at high temperatures. Manganese bronzes combine extremely high strength with significant corrosion resistance.

Primary Advantages of Bronze Bushings

Due to the properties of bronze, bushes made from this material can undoubtedly benefit a wide range of applications.

The exceptional corrosion resistance of bronze bushings is one of their many advantages. Bushings and bearings are often exposed to corrosive substances in many applications. The performance and overall operation of an industry could suffer if the wrong bushing material is chosen. Fortunately, bronze bushings can withstand corrosion because they have an extra layer of protection that prevents corrosive substances from penetrating.

The ability of bronze bushes to operate at high temperatures gives them a further advantage over other materials. They are more effective at transferring heat than most steels. 

Primary Applications for Bronze Bushes

Sintered bronze or cast bronze can be used to manufacture bronze bushes. Applications involving both high and low speeds are often where oil impregnated bronze bushes made from sintered bronze perform best. These bushes are also suitable for high and low temperature applications.

Bronze bushes can also be made more corrosion resistant by using cast bronze as an alternative. Bronze bushes can be made more suitable for humid conditions and environments by using cast bronze.

Bronze bushes are commonly used in construction equipment, small electric motors, agricultural machinery and marine propellers. Iron and steel manufacturing, food processing and automotive are three industries that make the most of the benefits and features of bronze bushes.

Different Types of Bronze Bushes

The following are two typical bronze bushing materials and their applications:

• Oilite: Powder metallurgy formed bronze bushings impregnated with oil. Applications can include high and low speed machinery, high and low temperature machinery and food grade applications depending on the type of oil used.
• Copper: Often made from bronze and tin, aluminium or silicon, these alloys have high corrosion resistance, making them ideal for marine applications.

Other Types

• Metal and Bronze Bushes: Bronze bushes are normally made from continuously cast bronze to ensure a homogeneous construction. They are general purpose bushings that can withstand high temperatures (up to 450°F) and have good load carrying and anti-wear properties. To improve their performance, metal bushings can also be manufactured from various metals or alloys such as steel or stainless steel, brass, aluminium and copper.
• Plastic Bushings: Solid plastic bushes are widely used due to their light weight and corrosion resistance. Previous problems with heat sensitivity, softening, wear or shortened life at high temperatures can be solved with modern plastics. They work well in wet or humid situations, such as the dry kiln cartwheels used in lumber drying kilns, where the water lubricates the bushing. Despite its widespread use, plastic is not the recommended bushing material for heavy loads. If incorrectly manufactured or assembled, especially when using off-the-shelf bushes, it has a tendency to crack under heavy loads and misalignment is common. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the preferred engineering plastic when plastic is specified.

Use of Bronze bushes 

Sintered bronze or cast bronze can be used to manufacture bronze bushes. Applications involving both high and low speeds are often where oil impregnated bronze bushes made from sintered bronze perform best. These bushes are also suitable for high and low temperature applications.

Bronze bushes can also be made more corrosion resistant by using cast bronze as an alternative. Bronze bushes can be made more suitable for humid conditions and environments by using cast bronze.

Bronze bushes are commonly used in construction equipment, small electric motors, agricultural machinery and marine propellers. Iron and steel manufacturing, food processing and automotive are three industries that make the most of the benefits and features of bronze bushes.