Bronze is the number one choice for bushings due to its property to form alloys and compositions. Bronze bushings and bearings are robust and stiff, making it appropriate not to lose its shape. It is a versatile material made to resist corrosion. Bronze bushings are efficient to repel shock, unlike brass bushings. They just need some lubricant oil or grease at the time of installation to reduce friction. Bronze bushings have a long list of advantages and use in industrial appliances and machines. All of them are discussed below. So read till the end of this article to know about bronze bushings in detail.

Advantages of Bronze Bushings

Bronze has some exceptional properties which make it stand out from the rest to be the suitable material for a broad variety of applications, especially in bushings. It is available in many alloys. Bushings made from bronze are used in several machines and appliances. 

Corrosion Resistance: One of the essential benefits of bronze bushings is that they do not rust easily or at all. Many times, bronze bushings and bearings are used in machines exposed to corrosive compounds to prevent oxidization. They have an added protective layer that avoids corrosive elements entering the machinery. If you use plastic or brass bushings, the material will get deteriorated. 

High-Temperature Operation: Bronze bushings and bearings can conveniently work at high temperatures without melting as their melting point is 977 Celsius. 

Perfect Material For Bushing and Bearings: Bronze is undoubtedly the most appropriate material for bushings and bearings. Bronze sleeve bearings have performed exceptionally well for decades without being corroded. Even after being under severe operating conditions, bronze bearings do the job well. The only requirement is to maintain it with lubricants, oil or grease adequately. 

Maintains its shape: As mentioned at the start of this article, bronze bushings are stiff and rigid that doesn’t let them break easily. So these materials do not deform and lose their shape.

Efficient: Bronze bushings can efficiently work in low-speed with high load applications as well as in high speed with low load applications like- 

• Food Processing
• Automobiles
• Industrial Applications
• Iron and Steel Manufacturing
• Valves

Powerful Electricity Conductors: Bronze is a conductor of electricity, so bronze bushings and bearings can conduct electricity and heat better than steel. It can benefit many power operations.

Resist Friction: Bronze bushings are advantageous for many industries and factories due to their friction repelling property. Bronze bearings do not wear easily, and thus even after repeated use, they can resist friction. Avoiding friction is necessary as it can cause problems and lead to accidents and mishaps. 

Other than these common advantages, some more merits of bronze bushings are: 

• Easily brazed and soldered
• Cost-Efficient
• Ease of machinability
• Metal fatigue resistance
• Smooth surface finish
• HD precision
• Sustainable

Disadvantage of Bronze Bushings

Even though bronze bushing is the ideal choice for most of the applications and machinery due to its advantages, it still has one minor disadvantage. The metal of the machines requires constant lubrication to prevent friction and extend the bearing’s service life. So oil, grease or any lubricant is necessary at the installation as well as during operation time. 

Applications of Bronze Bearings

Bronze bearings are used in many low-speeds with high load industrial applications as well as the high speed with low load applications. They are used in iron and steel manufacturing machines. Other machines in which they are used are:

• Earthmoving Machinery
• Food Processing Appliances
• Injection Moulding
• Pumps
• Submerged Bearings
• Construction Equipment
• Agriculture Machines
• Electric Motors
• Automotive Machines

Bronze Bushing Materials

Typically there are two bronze bushing materials.

• Sintered Bronze: Oil-impregnated bronze bushings using powder metallurgy are made from sintered bronze. They are often used in high and low speeds applications like food-grade appliances. They are used in applications with high and low temperatures as well. The applications also depend upon the type of oil used during installation.
• Cast Bronze: Marine applications require bushings that are corrosion resistant. An alloy of bronze with aluminium, silicon or tin is suitable for this. This is due to cast bronze that bronze bushings can resist rust and corrosion. It makes bronze bushings work efficiently in moisture and wet environments without damaging the machines and appliances.