What Are the Different Types of Flange Bearings?

In the simplest terms, bearings are used to reduce friction between two mating parts. They do this by bearing force, load, or both typically on to a shaft of plate. Bearings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials; as different applications require different types of bearings. One specialized type of bearing is the bronze flange bearing.

Flange Bearing Design

What sets flange bearings (sometimes known as flanged bushings) apart from other types of bearings is that at least one end is flanged, while the other may be straight. When it’s a single flange bearing, its shape resembles that of a top hat.

The flange (or lip) of the Flange Bearing holds the bearing in place to prevent shifting, slipping, or falling while the bearing is in use. This is particularly important when there is axial push or load being applied and when shafts run perpendicular to the bearing’s mounting surface. Flanged bearings are used to reduce issues from vibration, shaft flexing, and axial overload due to high speeds and heavy loads. Another benefit of a flange bearing, as opposed to other types of bearings, is that their design allows them to withstand high temperatures because they are held in place by the flange even when thermal expansion is occurring.

Without the lip on the end of a flange bearing, the machinery would stop working shortly after starting, as the bearing would fall out of place. Although a flange may seem inconsequential, it is actually a critical component of the design of these types of bearings.

Types of Flange Bearings

Flange bearings have at least one flange on an end of the sleeve, but beyond this, they are made from many different types of metals and plastics because they all have specific qualities, depending on the application. For instance, Flange Bearings made from Oil-impregnated Bronze release oil when in operation, making them relatively maintenance-free. Or a flange bearing made from C86300 that has graphite plugs may be used because its self-lubricating and can handle temperatures upwards of 700 degrees.

At Atlas Bronze, we provide a range of flanged bronze bushings from standards that are in stock and off the shelf to custom machined with graphite-plugs, or machined with groove used for oil and grease lubrication.

Choosing which flange bushing can be complicated. But we can help.

Learn More About Atlas Bronze Flange Bearings

To find out more about Atlas Bronze flanged bronze bushings, contact us at 1-800-478-0887 to speak to one of our representatives about our selection. Our knowledgeable sales team will help you through the process of choosing the right flange bearings for your application.

Which Sleeve Bearing Is the Best?

Bearings are one of our specialties at Atlas Bronze. We manufacture a wide variety of bearings for seemingly endless applications, but one type of bearing that’s particularly popular with our customers is the sleeve bearing. Because there are a few different sleeve bearing options, our team is often tasked with answering: which is the best sleeve bearing for my application?

About Sleeve Bearings

Like all bearings, the function of sleeve bearings (sometimes also known as bushings) is to allow for smoother movement by reducing friction between two or more moving parts. Sleeve bearings can be made with plastic, metal, or a fiber-reinforced composite material—as you might guess from the name, they are manufactured in the form of sleeves that slide between two moving parts. Not only do they absorb friction, they also reduce vibration and noise.

A metal sleeve bearing can be made from steel, graphite, or brass, but we offer bronze sleeve bearings at Atlas Bronze. The advantage of using bronze is that it is durable and resistant to high temperature and corrosion. When friction needs to be minimal, an oil-impregnated bronze sleeve bearing can be used, a solution that involves small pores in the bearing that are infused with lubricant. This lubricant is released under pressure then reabsorbed when the pressure is removed.

Sleeve bearings are affordable, simple to install, and easy to maintain. They have a high load capacity because of their large contact area.

Types of Sleeve Bearings

The first step in determining the best sleeve bearing for your application is knowing the different types of sleeve bearings:

• Flanged Sleeve Bearings are cylinders with a flange at the end to provide more bearing surface for axial loads.

• Cylindrical Bearings are straight cylinders with the same diameter at each end. They are flush inside the housing.

• Lined Bearings have a lining on the bearing surface that is made from a different material than the rest of the bearing. 

In choosing the right bearing for your purpose, you’ll have to determine the clearance, the inside and outside diameter, length, rotating speed, loading, and PV value needed. Also think about operating temperatures, humidity, and environment.

So which sleeve bearing is best? Well, there’s not really an answer to that question. The best sleeve bearing is the one that meets your needs—and every application has its own unique requirements. There’s no one-size-fits-all best sleeve bearing that meets everyone’s needs. If there was, our sales team would be out of a job! You’ll need to take a close look at what you need sleeve bearings for and determine which qualities are most important to you.

Learn More About Atlas Bronze Sleeve Bearings

To learn more about ordering high-quality sleeve bearings from Atlas Bronze, contact us at 1-800-478-0887. Our sales team offers customers unparalleled support and knowledge, and we’re committed to working together to find the best products for your needs. If you’re not sure where to start in your search for sleeve bearings, we can listen to your specifications and suggest the best solutions for you.

Which Is Stronger Bronze or Copper?

Colloquially, the terms “bronze” and “copper” are often used to mean the same thing, but technically speaking, the two metals are quite different. In order to understand which is stronger in the matchup between copper vs. bronze, it’s first important to understand the relationship between the two.

What Is Copper?

Copper refers to pure copper or to a copper alloy with 99.3 percent copper content. Known for its reddish hue, copper is one of the earliest used metals by humans and it remains popular today in electrical and heating applications because of its conductivity. It’s also beautiful, making it a common choice for architecture, fixtures, and sculpture.

In addition to its conductivity, copper is valued for its strength, corrosion resistance, antimicrobial properties, and formability. It can be soldered and brazed and some copper alloys can be welded through a number of different methods. When polished and buffed, copper can take on many different lusters and textures.

What Is Bronze?

Bronze is a metal alloy that’s made primarily with copper—although not as much copper as a copper alloy. Other metals used to make bronze include iron, tin, and zinc. Bronze copper alloys are used for valves, gears, bearings, and pump parts because the metal is resistant to wear and has low friction, but it’s also used to produce musical instruments and for statues and sculptures.

Copper vs. Bronze: Which Is Stronger?

To answer the question of which is stronger, copper or bronze, we have to define what we mean by strength. Some people searching for the strongest metal are looking for one that’s the hardest. Others use the term “strong” when they mean resistant to corrosion. Still others may define strength as the ability to bend without breaking, or ductility.

By adding other metals to copper in order to create bronze, we create a metal that is much harder than copper in its pure form, so in terms of hardness, bronze is the winner here. On the other hand, copper is more ductile, so if you’re looking for a metal that is less brittle, copper is a better choice. Bronze is typically more resistant to corrosion, so it comes out on top here as well.

When we create an alloy—whether it’s a copper alloy, bronze, or brass—we can combine the desirable elements from two or more different metals in order to create an end-product that is superior to each of these metals alone. We can use different proportions and different additions to the alloy in order to give it different characteristics, too. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a metal alloy suited to your needs.

Learn More About Atlas Bronze Products

To learn more about ordering high-quality bronze products from Atlas Bronze, contact us at 1-800-478-0887. Our sales team offers customers unparalleled support and knowledge, and we’re committed to working together to find the best products for your applications. If you’re not sure where to start in your search for copper alloys or bronze, we can listen to your specifications and suggest the right solutions for you.

Which Thrust Bearing Is Best?

At Atlas Bronze, bearings are one of our specialties. Ball thrust bearings are a type of bearing made with two washers (known as raceways) and several ball bearings housed between them. Thrust bearings are a type of rotary bearing and their strength is in bearing axial loads—they are not designed for handling radial loads. While all rotary bearings function by facilitating the rotation of two or more parts, thrust bearings are unique in that they can perform this function while supporting axial loads in a wide range of sizes.

Choosing Thrust Bearings

One of the first variables involved in choosing the right thrust bearings for your application is the size. Thrust bearing assemblies include two thrust washers and a ball retainer in a wide range of sizes. If readymade sizes do not work for your application, we can also fabricate custom-made thrust bearing washers tailored to your needs.

Next, you’ll need to choose which material you’d like your thrust bearings to be made from. While nylon retainers are available, metal retainers offer superior strength. When it comes to the ball bearings and thrust washers, think about the application you’re purchasing thrust bearings for and the environment. Is corrosion-resistance important? Does the material need to be safe for food and beverage processing? Is strength a high priority? There are different types of thrust bearings for different purposes. Chrome steel, stainless steel, sintered bronze, and brass are some of the most common materials used to manufacture thrust bearings, although ceramic and combinations of ceramic and metal are sometimes used as well for certain types of applications.

At Atlas Bronze, we manufacture thrust bearing washers with sintered bronze. Sintered bronze thrust washers are rigid, temperature-resistant, and strong. They’re resistant to wear and they can be made self-lubricating by using oil impregnation. With their self-dampening features, sintered bronze thrust washers operate quietly. The military chooses sintered bronze thrust bearings for use in weapons and aircraft because of their reliability.

If you’re not sure which material is best for your ball thrust bearings, we’re happy to help you. Our sales team has experience working with customers from a wide range of industries and we can explain the pros and cons of each of the materials and help you decide if sintered bronze is right for your application.

Applications for Thrust Bearings

Thrust bearings are commonly used in food and beverage processing, point of purchase displays, automation, medical instruments, aerospace, marine and automotive applications. Thrust bearings are often used in applications that operate at high speeds and that require lubrication, like turbines, motors, generators, compressors, and pumps. (Want to learn more? Here’s what to know about thrust bearings.)

Learn More About Atlas Bronze Thrust Bearings

To find out more about sintered bronze thrust bearings from Atlas Bronze, contact us at 1-800-478-0887 to speak to one of our knowledgeable sales representatives about our selection. We’ll ask you questions about your application and listen to your needs and concerns. From there, we can help you decide the right types of thrust bearings for your purposes. We look forward to working with you!

Brass vs. Copper: Which Is Stronger? | Atlas Bronze

We manufacture metal components for a variety of uses, so we often work with our customers to help them decide which type of material is best for their particular application. Sometimes the goal is to find a metal alloy that offers the best resistance to corrosion; other times our customers are looking for a particular color or conductivity.

One of the most common qualities our clients are after, though, is strength—they want the strongest possible metal for the best durability. If you’re deciding between copper and brass, the answer to the question “which is stronger?” is a bit complicated. Here’s why.

What Is Brass?

To understand whether copper or brass is stronger, it’s important to remember that brass is actually made of copper. Brass is not an elemental metal—you can’t mine it, you can only create it. In its most basic form, brass is made with copper and varying amounts of zinc. Other elements, like lead, tin, aluminum, manganese, and iron, can be added as well to give brass different characteristics and colors. At the highest strength, brasses have the highest levels of zinc—typically at least 39 percent.

(Here’s an article on how brass is made if you’re curious.)

What Is Copper?

What is the difference between copper and brass? Unlike brass, copper is an elemental metal. That said, when used for industrial and commercial purposes, copper is usually alloyed with other metals to enhance or change its natural qualities. Copper is often chosen because it is antibacterial, provides good thermal and electrical conductivity, is strong enough for many applications, and resists corrosion.

Copper and copper alloys are commonly used for jewelry and sculpture, but because of its conductivity, one of the most popular uses of copper is in electrical components. Copper is also used in construction and architecture, plumbing, and heat exchangers.

Answering the Question: Which Is Stronger, Brass vs. Copper?

Is brass stronger than copper? Because brass is an alloy and copper too is often used in alloyed form, it’s more appropriate to compare specific alloys, as different compositions have different characteristics, including strength. That said, generally speaking, brass is stronger than elemental copper, but copper is less vulnerable to stress cracking.

This brings up another interesting question: how do you define strong? If you’re looking for the hardest material, that’s very different from the material that has the best ability to bend without breaking—in fact, these are opposite qualities, but you may consider both to be strength. The advantage of working with Atlas Bronze is that we’re metal experts. We’ll listen to what you’re looking for, take the time to learn about your application, and then help you understand the qualities you need in a metal and which of our alloys meet these specifications.

Learn More About Copper and Brass

Are you deciding between copper, brass, or another alloy for your application? Do you need help understanding the differences between these options? Our team is here to help you with all of your purchasing decisions. Contact us at 1-800-478-0887 to speak with one of our experts and get started.

Benefits of Graphite Plugged Bushings

There are three different types of flanged bronze bushings, including plain bushings, oil or grease grooved flanged bushings, and graphite plugged bushings. We manufacture all three types at Atlas Bronze for use in a variety of industrial applications, but today we’re going to take a closer look at graphite plugged flange bushings.

What Is a Flange Bearing?

Flange bushings (also known as flange bearings) are used whenever support is needed for a shaft that runs perpendicular to the bearing’s mounting surface. With this support, we can avoid problems with high speeds and heavy loads that cause shafts to flex, vibrate, or otherwise move. Dimensions on these bushings can vary; they can be manufactured in a variety of lengths, diameters, and thicknesses.

What Are Graphite Plugged Bronze Bushings?

Graphite plugged bushings are a special type of bushing that is used in applications that need continuous lubrication, but don’t offer easy access for the lubrication to be added manually on a regular basis. This type of bushing is made with graphite impregnated into the small holes in the bushing’s surface. When in use, these bushings release the graphite, creating a film of lubricant to keep machinery running smoothly. 

Why Use Graphite Plugged Bronze Bushings

Graphite plugged bushings are beneficial anytime an application needs ongoing lubrication, but also needs to perform for long periods without maintenance. These bearings are self-lubricating, so additional oil and grease is not needed.

Because graphite plugged bearings self-lubricate, money is saved on maintenance and replacement—both in materials and in labor costs. Additionally, less downtime is needed to add more lubricant or perform other everyday maintenance tasks. Graphite plugged bushings have better wear resistance than other types of bearings. This is because when graphite plugged bushings are in use, there is very minimal friction thanks to the lubricant film they produce. Friction is what wears parts down and causes them to need eventual replacement, so limiting this is the key to durability.

Not only do graphite plugged bushings stand up to a great deal of wear and heavy use, they’re also resistant to corrosion when in damp, humid, or marine environments. In industries where bearings will be exposed to caustic chemicals, graphite plugged bushings from Atlas Bronze are an ideal choice for their chemical resistance.

Another benefit of choosing this type of bushing is that they can be safely used in extreme hot and cold temperatures, indoors and out, and still perform well.

Where to Purchase Graphite Plugged Bronze Bushings

Atlas Bronze manufactures graphite plugged bushings made with bearing bronze, aluminum bronze, and manganese bronze for a wide range of applications and industries. We fabricate bronze bushings to your exact specifications; simply tell us the size you need and we will provide you with a quote.

Contact Atlas Bronze

If you’re uncertain about what type of bronze bushings are best for your application, contact our knowledgeable sales team for help determining your needs. Give us a call at 1-800-478-0887 or email sales@atlasbronze.com to learn more or request a quote.

Modern Items Commonly Made of Bronze

During the Bronze Age, the use of bronze was widespread because it was the hardest metal alloy available. Bronze artifacts dating back to this time period include tools, arrowheads and other weapons, building materials, and pieces of art. Once the use of iron became more prevalent, fewer everyday objects were made with bronze, but its continued use to this day attests to its durability and versatility. Today, we use bronze in a variety of applications, some of which are outlined below.

Art and Sculpture

Just like in ancient times, bronze is one of the preferred materials for sculpture and statues. Bronze is both easier to work with than other metals and also more durable. Public art pieces, such as statuary, are often made with bronze because of its longevity and resistance to the elements. Statuary bronze is usually made with 97 percent copper, two percent tin, and one percent zinc.

Musical Instruments

Bells and cymbals are often made with bronze; for bells, a special “bell metal” alloy is used, which is made with a high percentage of tin. Asian percussion instruments, like gongs and singing bowls, are also made with bronze in varying compositions.

Bronze is also used in string instruments, including the guitar, double bass, and piano, for the windings of steel and nylon strings. Bronze strings are used for tones with lower pitches, where they perform better than their high-tensile steel counterparts.

Coins and Medals

There is, of course, the bronze medal that is traditionally awarded for third place in a competition, but bronze is used to make a variety of medals and plaques for many different purposes. Commemorative coins may be made with bronze too, although coins used for currency are not typically made with bronze in modern times. During the 1800s, United States pennies were made with bronze, and in the United Kingdom, one and two pence coins were made with bronze until the early 1990s.

Architectural Bronze

Bronze has many architectural uses, ranging from everyday items like mailboxes, furniture, and stair railings, to more elaborate ornamental items like decorative cladding on doors and windows. Not only does bronze stand the test of time in these applications, but it comes in a range of colors that makes it desirable as well. Bronze used for architecture is an alloy made with 57 percent copper, 40 percent zinc, and three percent lead. 

Commercial Bronze

It’s difficult to find an industry where bronze isn’t used! We use items made with bronze daily without even thinking about it. Bearings, bushings, screws, valves, and countless other parts are made with bronze because of its strength, durability, resistance to corrosion, and ductility. Wrought alloys are available in sheets and plates, rods, tubes, or bar stock and are produced by rolling and extrusion mills or by a forging mill. In contrast, cast alloys are produced by sand casting, centrifugal casting, and continuous casting. They are the most readily available type of bronze alloy.

Contact Atlas Bronze

Our knowledgeable sales staff can help you determine what type of material is best for various bronze applications. Contact us at 1-800-478-0887 or email sales@atlasbronze.com to learn more or request a quote.