Boston Gear 30226735 PB-5616 bronze plain sleeve bearing for general industrial applications. Bronze material provides reliable performance in low-speed, high-load environments. Suitable for rotating shaft support in conveyors, material handling, and machinery.

Rectangular plates serve as load-bearing bases and mounting pads in industrial applications. They're commonly used for machinery alignment, motor mounting, pump bases, hydraulic systems, and structural support in production lines. Ground plates provide precision leveling; unground plates work for standard mounting and shim applications.

We stock ASTM A36 (mild steel, standard duty), ASTM A588 (weathering steel for outdoor use), and hardened plates for wear surfaces and precision work. ASTM A36 ships same-day for standard sizes; hardened grades may require additional lead time. All carry mill certs on request — contact us to confirm availability by grade.

Ground plates have a flat, finished top surface that meets precision tolerance specs (typically ±0.001"-0.005" depending on size and grade). Unground plates have a mill-finish surface suitable for general mounting and bolting. Ground plates cost more but eliminate shimming work. Choose ground if precision alignment matters; unground if you're just building a stable base.

Stock sizes (6×6, 12×12, 12×24, 24×36 up to 1" thick) typically ship within 24 hours. Custom sizes and thicknesses run 3–7 days depending on your specs. Call sales for exact availability on your size—we often have non-standard cuts in inventory.

Size depends on your load and footprint. Thicker plates handle heavier loads and provide better leveling over uneven floors. A 1/2" thick 12×12" plate works for light-duty mounting (under 500 lbs); 1" thick 24×36" handles machine bases up to 2,000 lbs. For heavy presses or precision work, consult the equipment manual or contact our application team—we'll spec it right.

Listen for grinding or squealing noise and feel for excessive shaft play—both indicate loss of the lubrication film. Heat is another red flag; a hot-to-touch bearing has already lost critical clearance and needs immediate replacement.

Plain bearings are ideal for high-temperature environments (above 200°C), dirty or contaminated conditions, and where simplicity and cost matter more than precision. They excel at slow speeds (below 100 RPM) with moderate radial loads and continuous lubrication.

Sintered bronze (self-lubricating) bushings contain built-in lubricant and require no external oil—use them for sealed or hard-to-access locations. Oil-lubricated plain bearings (babbitt or solid bronze) need periodic or continuous oil supply and handle higher loads and speeds.

Measure your shaft diameter (bore), the housing space (OD), and the required axial width. Match the bore to your shaft, then select OD to fit your housing and width based on load requirements, referencing the manufacturer's load rating tables.

Sintered bronze handles 5–15 MPa at 1–2 m/s; oil-lubricated bronze handles 20–30 MPa at 3–5 m/s. Always check the material datasheet and stay within the PV limit (pressure × velocity) to prevent overheating.

Standard bearing materials include: - Chrome Steel — Premium bearing steel used by SKF, NSK, Timken, and most manufacturers. Offers excellent hardness, fatigue resistance, and durability in standard industrial applications. Most common for ball and roller bearings. - Stainless Steel — Provides corrosion resistance for applications in wet, humid, or chemically corrosive environments. Used in food processing, marine, and pharmaceutical equipment. - Ceramic Hybrid Bearings — Combine steel races with ceramic rolling elements. Offer reduced friction, lower heat generation, and higher temperature capability. Used in high-speed, high-precision applications and aerospace. - Polymeric Bearings — Utilize fluoropolymer composites with embedded graphite or PTFE. Provide low friction in high-speed applications where lubrication film breakdown would be problematic. Material selection depends on operating environment (temperature, moisture, chemical exposure), speed, load, and precision requirements. Standard chrome steel bearings suit most industrial MRO applications.

A bearing is a mechanical component that enables smooth rotational or linear motion by reducing friction between moving parts. Bearings support loads and facilitate the transfer of forces between moving elements, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact that would cause wear and heat buildup. Rolling element bearings contain balls or rollers that rotate within races (raceways) to minimize friction. Common types include ball bearings (used for moderate loads and high speeds), roller bearings (used for heavy loads at medium speeds), and angular contact bearings (designed for combined radial and axial loads). Bearings are essential in industrial equipment including motors, pumps, compressors, gearboxes, turbines, and conveyor systems.

Start with the load and how it’s applied. You need to know if you’re dealing with radial loads, axial loads, or a mix of both. Then look at speed, operating environment, and space constraints. For example, ball bearings are great for high speed and lighter loads, while roller bearings handle heavier loads but usually at lower speeds. If there’s contamination, moisture, or heat involved, you may need sealed bearings or specific materials. In most cases, the right choice comes down to matching load type, speed, and environment to the bearing design.

Lubrication Importance — Improper lubrication causes over 40% of bearing failures. Proper bearing lubrication prevents friction damage, dissipates heat, protects against corrosion, and acts as a barrier against contaminants (dust, moisture, debris). Lubrication Selection — Choose between grease and oil based on: - Grease: Suitable for low-to-medium speed, sealed bearings, and applications without continuous circulation. Easier to apply and retain. Common for motors, household appliances, and sealed units. - Oil Mist or Circulating Systems: Better for high-speed applications, high-temperature environments, and heavy-load machinery where heat dissipation is critical. Best Practices: 1. Map all lubrication points and create a maintenance schedule. 2. Use the correct lubricant type and viscosity grade specified by the bearing manufacturer. 3. Store lubricants in sealed, labeled containers away from moisture and contaminants. 4. Monitor bearing temperature and vibration; unusual heat or noise may indicate inadequate lubrication or bearing wear. 5. Replace bearings before reaching L10 life if contamination or lubrication failure is detected.

Static Load Rating (C₀) — The maximum load a stationary or slowly rotating bearing can support without permanent deformation of its rolling elements or raceways. Defined by ISO 76 as the load producing 0.01% permanent deformation of the rolling element diameter. Static load capacity is the limiting factor when a bearing operates at very low speeds or remains stationary under heavy loads. Dynamic Load Rating (C) — The constant load a bearing can endure for a specified number of revolutions (the L10 life, at which 90% of identical bearings are expected to survive). Dynamic load rating determines how long a bearing will last under rotating or oscillating motion. ISO 281 defines the L10 calculation using the formula: L10 = (C/P)^p, where C is dynamic load rating, P is equivalent dynamic load, and p is the life exponent (3 for ball bearings, 10/3 for roller bearings). Why They Matter — Static load rating determines if a bearing can handle peak loads without permanent damage (even if not rotating). Dynamic load rating determines operational life. For high-speed applications, dynamic rating is critical. For low-speed or stationary loads, static rating may be the limiting factor. Always verify both ratings against your application's load profile.

Bearing selection depends on five key factors: 1. Load Type and Direction — Determine whether your application has radial loads (perpendicular to shaft), axial loads (along the shaft), or combined loads. Deep groove ball bearings suit primarily radial loads; tapered roller bearings excel at combined loads; thrust bearings handle pure axial forces. 2. Rotational Speed — Ball bearings support higher speeds with lower friction. Roller bearings are better for medium-speed, heavy-load applications. Verify bearing speed ratings against your operating RPM. 3. Load Capacity — Select a bearing with adequate load capacity for your application. Basic dynamic load rating (C) and basic static load rating (C₀) determine how much load the bearing can safely carry. 4. Lubrication Requirements — Choose between grease and oil lubrication based on speed, temperature, and load. High-speed or high-temperature applications typically require oil circulation; lower-speed applications can use grease. 5. Precision and Rigidity — Evaluate your application's tolerance for runout deviation. High-precision applications require tighter tolerances and higher-grade bearings.

L10 Life Definition (ISO 281) — L10 is the basic rating life at which 90% of a large group of identical bearings are statistically expected to survive under constant load and speed. It is calculated in millions of revolutions using the formula: L10 = (C/P)^p, where C is the basic dynamic load rating, P is the equivalent dynamic bearing load, and p is the life exponent (3 for ball bearings). Converting L10 to Operating Hours — To express L10 life in hours: L10h = (L10 × 10^6) / (60 × n), where n is rotational speed in RPM. For example, a bearing with L10 = 1,000 million revolutions operating at 3,600 RPM has approximately L10h ≈ 4,630 hours. Modified Life (L10a) — Actual bearing life also depends on lubrication quality, contamination, speed, temperature, and bearing accuracy. ISO 281 defines a modified life factor (a₁ × aISO) that adjusts the theoretical L10 for these real-world conditions. High-quality lubrication and proper maintenance can extend bearing life significantly; poor lubrication or high contamination reduces it. Why It Matters for Maintenance — L10 life helps you schedule preventive maintenance, budget for bearing replacement, and select bearings adequate for your duty cycle.