What Is Sintered Bearings
Sintering is a process for manufacturing parts, where temperature and pressure are controlled to heat the powder but not melt it. Under the action of heat, the particles previously pressed and formed in the mold are welded together. The parts are then infiltrated with oil, so that the tiny spaces between the grains are filled with oil, and finally a part with excellent sliding properties is obtained.
Sintered bearings, also known as heat-treated bearings, are bearings made using the powder metallurgy sintering technique. To create a robust bearing, the production process involves pressing and sintering metal powder at high temperatures and pressures. Jiehuang specializes in the development and manufacturing of sintered bearings. We manufacture over 1 billion premium bearings for our clients each year and assist them with the design and material selection of sintered bearings. Sintered bearings are utilized extensively in the mechanical manufacturing industry because of Jiehuang's powder metallurgy manufacturing process, which gives them high precision, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and consistent quality, among other qualities.
Bearing Types
Beyond the conventional spherical, flanged, and cylindrical designs, advancements in powder metallurgy (PM) have greatly increased the potential for producing bearings and other components with more intricate geometries. These developments are particularly helpful for applications that need unique shapes or specialized performance characteristics that are difficult to produce with traditional machining techniques.
Complex bearing geometries are becoming possible thanks to modern powder metallurgy in the following ways:
1. Customized Internal Geometries
Powder metallurgy allows for precise control over the internal structure of bearings, enabling the creation of intricate internal channels, grooves, or cavities that can be used for lubrication, cooling, or weight reduction. This is especially beneficial in high-performance industries like aerospace or automotive, where bearing functionality can be critical to system efficiency.
2. Hollow Bearings
In some applications, reducing the weight of a component is crucial without sacrificing strength. Powder metallurgy can produce hollow bearings with complex internal structures that are both lightweight and strong. This is particularly useful in the aerospace and automotive industries, where every gram counts for performance and fuel efficiency.
3. Hybrid Material Bearings
Advanced PM techniques enable the creation of hybrid bearings made from a combination of different materials. For example, you can combine a high-strength outer layer with a porous inner layer that can absorb lubrication, improving the bearing’s performance in harsh conditions. This can also help reduce friction and wear over time.
4. Self-lubricating Bearings
Bearings made from certain PM materials can be designed with embedded lubricants within the metal matrix itself. This allows for self-lubrication, reducing maintenance needs and extending the operational life of the bearing, making them ideal for applications in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
5. Complex Shapes for Special Applications
PM also enables the production of bearings with custom, non-standard shapes that may be necessary for specific applications. For example, bearings that need to fit into non-linear or irregular housing can be designed with complex contours to meet the exact needs of the machinery or system in which they are used.
Designing the Perfect Bearing for Your Application
Are you looking to design custom sintered bearings that meet the specific needs of your application? Whether you're dealing with standard or complex geometries, we can support you in selecting the ideal material and design.
Contact us and you can easily explore various bearing possibilities and make an informed decision to choose the bearing that best suits your needs. The Jiehuang team helps you select the right materials and design features to optimize performance, durability and efficiency.
Technical Properties of Our Sintered Sliding Bearings
Our sintered sliding bearings are designed for exceptional performance and reliability, and can be manufactured in strict accordance with the primary DIN, ISO, and MPIF standards. This ensures that every bearing meets the highest quality benchmarks and is suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.
Key benefits include:
- • Precision Manufacturing: Adherence to international standards ensures consistency and precision in every component.
- • Optimized Performance: Our sintered sliding bearings are engineered for high load capacity, durability, and low friction, making them ideal for both standard and specialized applications.
- • Material Flexibility: We offer a variety of materials, allowing for customization based on your specific performance requirements.
Whether you're designing for high-speed, heavy-load, or specialized applications, our sintered sliding bearings are built to deliver reliable, long-lasting results.
Common Materials for Sintered Metal Bearings
1. Sintered Bronze
Composition: Typically consists of 90% copper (Cu) and 10% tin (Sn). Some formulations may also include additives such as graphite or lead to enhance dry running properties.
Properties:
Self-lubricating: The porous structure allows for oil retention, providing continuous lubrication during operation.
Corrosion Resistant: Bronze materials are naturally resistant to corrosion, making them suitable for marine and other harsh environments.
Durability: High fatigue resistance and durability under load conditions.
2. Sintered Iron
Composition: Often includes a mixture of iron with other elements like zinc or nickel to improve performance characteristics.
Properties:
High Load Capacity: Porous iron bearings can support higher loads but generally have lower sliding speeds compared to bronze.
Chemical Resistance: Good resistance to various lubricants and environmental factors.
3. Proprietary Metal Mixtures
Some manufacturers develop proprietary blends that may include combinations of iron, zinc, copper, and nickel. These mixtures are designed to optimize specific performance metrics such as strength, wear resistance, and thermal stability
|
Material Type |
Composition |
Key Properties |
|
Sintered Bronze |
90% Copper + 10% Tin (with possible additives like graphite or lead) |
Self-lubricating, Corrosion-resistant, Durable |
|
Sintered Iron |
Iron + Zinc or Nickel |
High load capacity, Good chemical resistance |
|
Proprietary Metal Alloys |
Iron, Zinc, Copper, Nickel, etc. |
Tailored performance, Enhanced durability |
Sintered bronze bearings
High Sliding Velocities & Maintenance-Free Operation
Sintered bronze bearings are renowned for their self-lubricating and maintenance-free properties, making them ideal for demanding applications. Made from porous bronze or iron, these bearings are typically filled with oil, which is retained within their porous structure, providing continuous lubrication during operation.
Key features include:
- • Self-Lubricating: The unique porous material absorbs and retains oil, reducing friction and eliminating the need for additional lubrication, which leads to lower maintenance costs.
- • High Sliding Velocities: These bearings can operate at high sliding speeds, making them perfect for rotating applications such as motors, pumps, and automotive components.
- • Maintenance-Free: The oil-filled, self-lubricating design ensures long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance, even in high-stress environments.
Thanks to their low friction and high durability, sintered bronze bearings are a reliable, cost-effective solution for industries requiring efficient and long-lasting rotational performance.
Sintered Iron Bearings
Typically made from a blend of iron powder and copper (often 18-22% copper), which enhances wear resistance and allows for oil impregnation. Sintered iron bearings are a robust solution for applications requiring reliable performance under load. Their unique combination of material properties ensures long service life, reduced maintenance needs, and effective lubrication, making them a preferred choice in many industrial and automotive contexts.
We use a proprietary powdered metal composition consisting of iron, zinc, copper, and nickel to make our sintered bearings.
Our sintered bearings are the superior option in terms of performance and durability. When load and wear patterns would benefit from the added strength of a long-lasting metal construction, professional technicians typically select sintered bearings.
Want to know more?Please CONTACT US !