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.