Thread: plain bearing material.

Wondering if a stainless steel bush would be a good medium to use in a steel housing. previously I've used phosphor bronze to good effect but that is all gone. I have plenty of 316 stainless so thought of using that. The platform is very slow turning with relatively lightweight (around 100kgs) lateral loading.

Should be fine I would think for a non matelic shaft, other wise no.

No. Stainless steel is probably the worst bearing material i can think of.

What's the shaft material and actual RP, also what lube type/opportunity and frequency etc.

I was under the impression that SS is not a good bearing material. It work hardens under cirtain circumstances and can bind and then seize.

Id be interested in what others have to say.

Simon

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The stainless bush will he static, H shaped and made in two pieces. They are inserted , top and bottom in a metal tube with a clearance fit and clamped. The steel tube rotates spasmotically and slowly back and forth around the stainless bush. Weight is taken on the top land of the stainless bush and there is some lateral force due to a 15 degree slant. A grease nipple for lubrication will be included.<br><br>On previous builds I've also used steel; however, I thought stainless might be a better fit due to its hardness.&nbsp; &nbsp;I have read of reaction between stainless and ally, but not with stainless and steel.&nbsp; &nbsp;I have also thought of brass as I have enough to do the job but thought wear may be a problem.

Yea. Like i said id be interested to see what others say. I have been thinking further about it and now im thinking its not good if its SS on SS. SS on a different metal maybe fine especially in your situation. It does not sound like the bearing material will be working very hard.

Im just not sure what will wear quicker the shaft or the SS.


Simon

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What about using Delrin??
Kryn

I would think in this application the shaft may wear 1st but as soon as there is any wear the stainless will probably gaul and cause the shaft to seize.

If this is a common wear part why don't you just stick with what was originally in there.

Is this something that you have designed or was it commercially made.

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No, it's not a commercially available design, it's my own. Have thought of delrin, butI think with most of the weight on the top land it may wear rather quickly, slop is not something I'd want in this application. Anyway thanks gents, in the absence of bronze I think steel on steel is the go.

What sort of weight will be on the "bushing"? I believe Delrin to be quite strong in the sense of weight support, MichaelG might chime in with a better solution.
Kryn

Not a lot of weight probably somewhere in vicinity of 80 kgs, resting on two bushes 25mm round.

Delrin would be my choice too.

id go with something nonferrous or plastic, delrin has pretty fantastic physical characteristics and is super easy to work with. i have some delrin half nuts in a lathe which have put up with some horrendous conditions for years.

Consider cast iron?
Machine tools are made of it, and it holds up well.