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.