Bushings vs. Bearings: What’s Right for Your Application?

Mechanical components such as bushings and bearings are designed to reduce friction and promote ease of movement for various parts and components. They also limit component wear while reducing the energy required to initiate motion. Even though they provide similar functions, bushings, and bearings operate in different conditions and environments. The advantages and disadvantages of each option will dictate which is best suited to your specific parameters.

What are Bearings?

Bearings are multiple-component, precision-made machine parts that allow the rotating shafts of machinery to move at extremely high speeds, reducing friction between moving parts. A bearing’s primary function is to handle radial loading stresses and to support rotating shafts in machines, with secondary processes that include axial and shock loading.
Bearings allow interacting surfaces to roll, slide or glide over each other instead of grinding by transferring the weight of the load to the rolling elements, allowing the device to spin or slide. Since metal-on-metal contact is abrasive, causing metal degradation and continuous friction, bearings are proven to favorably reduce friction and premature wear.

Bearing Types

Bearings can be divided into three classes: journal, linear, and thrust bearings. Within these categories, the bearings have the same basic structure and purpose. The main difference is the load they're handling and the type of rolling element used.

• Ball bearings
• Thrust bearings
• Linear bearings
• Straight roller bearings
• Tapered roller bearings

Bearing Applications

Bearings are commonly used within the following applications:

• Vehicle wheels
• Steering mechanisms
• Transmissions
• Suspension components
• Aircraft components
• Power turbines
• Manufacturing parts

What are Bushings?

A bushing is a cylindrical component designed to support shaft loading that operates with sliding motion between the moving surfaces. Bushings are comprised of single-element components that may be composed of several different materials. Bushings are often used with heavier loads at slower speeds and can withstand substantial load transfer and shock loading.

Bushing Types

• Bronze bushings
• Bi-metallic bushings
• Metal-polymer composite bushings
• Metallic Self-Lubricating bushings
• Plastic Bushings

Bushing Applications

Bushings are primarily used for the following applications:

• Power transformers
• Suspension systems
• Machinery
• Dynamically loaded systems
• Drill jigs
• Hydraulic external gear pumps
• Motors

What Separates Bushings and Bearings?

Generally, bearings are distinguished from bushings by their multiple component designs, which include a cage containing the rolling elements (balls or rollers), the rolling elements, and an inner and outer race upon which the rolling elements interact.

Bearing Advantages

• Motion is generally smoother than bushings, overcomes static friction by rolling instead of sliding
• Tighter tolerances for a better fit than bushings, reducing sloppiness and backlash
• More suited over bushings for high-velocity environments

Bushing Advantages

• Provides extremely low friction motion that minimizes power consumption, noise, and wear on parts
• Easier to assemble than bearings and costs less
• Self-lubricating, providing quieter operation than most bearings

Bushings or Bearings: Which is Best for Your Project?

The following factors should be considered before determining whether a bushing or bearing is suitable for your project:

• Velocity & Loading – For applications with high velocity, bearings provide an improved solution, while bushings react well to low-speed, heavy-load applications.
• Smoothness of Operation – Bearings do not stick or slip, unlike bushings, making them the correct choice for smoother operation.
• Maintenance & Lubrication – Bushings are ideal for maintenance-free, self-lubricating applications.
• Operating Noise – For critical noise applications, bushings provide less noise than bearings.
• Budget – Up to ten times less expensive, bushings offer a cost-friendlier option than bearings.

Contact Ondrives.US for Premium Bearing & Bushing Mechanical Components Today

Searching for the perfect bearing or bushing for your application needs? Ondrives.US has you covered! With high-precision bearing, bushing, and other mechanical component options, we have the products you need. Contact us to learn more or browse our product brochures and catalogs.