What Is the Difference Between Plain Bearings and Bushings?

作者MYWAY

What is the Difference Between Bushings and Bearings?

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Knowing those two words [bushing, and plain bearing], and knowing their definition, what they do, when to use them, and the benefits and advantages they can provide to you on your machine will allow you to save money and increase the efficiency and productivity of your machines.

Plain bearings and bushings serve to reduce friction. But a “plain bearing” is a general term for any bearing that doesn’t have rolling elements. On the other hand, a “bushing” is usually a specific type of plain bearing, often in the form of a sleeve used to support and protect the contact between a shaft and its housing.

For more information about how we apply the one or the other, read our related article What is a self-lubricating bearing?

What Are Plain Bearings?

Plain bearings are parts that are used to support and control moving motion between two parts while reducing friction. They are one of the simplest types of bearings since they don’t have any moving elements like balls or rollers.Usually they’re some solid thing in a certain shape often a cylinder or a sleeve that makes a nice contact for the surfaces to slide against.

Key Features of Plain Bearings:
Simple Design: These are one of the simplest types of bearings because they don’t have any rolling elements.
Materials: They can be made a lot of different ways (like metal, plastic, composite materials, or even self-lubricating material like PTFE or graphite, etc.)
Applications: They’re used in machinery where you want something simple, reliable that requires little to no maintenance.

What Are Bushings?

A bushing is a type of plain bearing. It’s a cylinder designed to reduce friction between two moving parts. For example, you have a shaft turning in a housing. Usually you use a bushing to support radial loads. A bushing is often a type of lining or sleeve inside a mechanical system.”

Key Features of Plain Bearings:
Bushings are a specific form of plain bearings. All bushings are plain bearings, but not all plain bearings are bushings.
Shape and Design: A bushing is a very specific type of plain bearing. A bushing has a specific shape and design (cylindrical or tubular to keep two parts from touching each other).
Materials: Bushings can be made of a lot of different materials like metal (bronze, steel, bimetallics), plastic, or other composite materials. Many have self-lubricating properties.

Key Differences Between Plain Bearings and Bushings

Bushings are a type of plain bearing, but there are some differences to keep in mind.

Aspect

Plain Bearings

Bushings

Definition

A general term for a bearing with no rolling elements.

A specific type of plain bearing, typically cylindrical or sleeve-shaped.

Design

Includes various shapes like flat surfaces, spherical bearings, or liners.

Always cylindrical or tubular, designed to fit shafts or housing.

Applications

Broader range, including sliding surfaces, pivot points, and liners.

Primarily used for radial support in rotating or sliding systems.

Materials

Includes metal, plastic, composite, or even wood.

Typically metal (bronze, steel), plastic, or composite materials with focus on self-lubrication.

Functionality

Reduces friction and supports motion.

Acts as a sleeve or liner to protect components and reduce wear.

Advantages of Bushings

Easy to Remove or Replace: Some of the bushings that are available slide right out or are relatively easy to replace or take out of and put in a machine.
Many Options For Material: Bushings come in a lot of different materials for different specific loads, speeds, and environments.
Self-lubricating: Bushings have options to come with some kind of self lubrication so you don’t have to worry about oiling them or keeping them oiled.
Cost: Bushings are cost effective.

Advantages of Plain Bearings

Plain bearings are versatile and offer several benefits in mechanical systems:

Make Sense and Reliable: It’s got fewer moving parts. Why would I want to mess around with something that’s going to break when I could use something that makes sense and is reliable?
Cost Effective: Often cheaper than roller or ball bearings.
Durable: Lasts forever, especially in a harsh environment such as high temperatures, a dusty situation or a caustic environment.
Low Maintenance: They have self-lubricating versions that you can put in and just let them go.
Space-Saver: They give you tighter configurations because you don’t have the rollers (these are a cool design option).

How to Choose Between Plain Bearings and Bushings

Before you decide to use a plain bearing or bushing, ask yourself:
What do I need to do with this item?
Plain bearings are good when it comes to general surfaces that are sliding, pivot points, or anything that needs precession in a radial orientation or needs some spherical motion.
On cylindrical equipment where a bushing supports a shaft, guides motion, or acts as a sacrificial element when something else wears out, bushings are the way to go.
Make sure the material you pick and the design of the equipment can support the load and speed you are working with.
Also, think about maintenance. If you or your company won’t lubricate something or do maintenance on a product or piece of equipment, you better get self-lubricating or something that will deal with it.
Think about environmental conditions your bushing will face. You might need bushings made out of stuff like bronze or something fluoropolymer (PTFE) or a composite if you are in high heat or are getting something dissolved.

Conclusion

Bushings and plain bearings are close cousins, but they have distinct jobs. Plain bearings are a family of components that go here. A bushing is a plain bearing, but a plain bearing is not necessarily a bushing. What this means for you is . . . Point two here will help you decide which is right for your project.
 
Even though you can swap one for the other, it’s important to know when you are using a bushing or a plain bearing. If you’re looking for a supplier, I sell high-quality plain bearings and bushings like the SF-1, SF-2, and bimetallic strip bearings. Get in touch with us.

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