Split Bearing Bushes: Metallurgy, Shell Geometry, Lubrication Film, and Serviceable Heavy-Machinery Design
A split bearing bush, also called a split plain bearing, split sleeve bearing, bearing shell, split journal bearing, or split bearing bush, is made from two or more fitted shell halves that surround a rotating shaft or journal. The split form allows the bearing to be installed, inspected, scraped, replaced, or adjusted without removing a large shaft or dismantling an entire machine. It is common in turbines, generators, compressors, engines, gearboxes, rolling-mill drives, pumps, marine machinery, and large industrial transmissions.
The split line is only one part of the design. Reliable operation depends on the shell backing, babbitt or bronze sliding layer, oil holes, grooves, reliefs, crush, housing fit, journal surface, radial and axial clearance, alignment, oil-film formation, load direction, temperature, contamination, and assembly procedure.