Thrust Bearings

Thrust bearings, often known as rotary thrust washers, thrust bearing washers, or thrust bearings, are washer-shaped components crafted from cast bronze. They act as axial support between rotating and stationary components and facilitate alignment while providing a surface for the rotating component to move against. The flat surface of these washers ensures the even distribution of loads across the part, enhancing their efficiency in various applications.

Application Considerations

When using thrust bearings, it's essential to consider the following factors to ensure optimal performance:

Load: Evaluate how the application load will impact the washer. How much weight will it hold? How fast is the rotation against it? Is the rotation consistent or will it occur intermittently? This will help you choose the dimensions of the washer.
Material: Generally, the mating component's material should be harder than the washer so the washer takes the brunt of the friction. Since the washers are bronze, most metals will meet this requirement. However, if you are working with soft metals like aluminum, this is an especially important point to consider.
Environmental Conditions: Think about the application's setting - will it be outside and exposed to natural elements like weather or sun? Will it be indoors with regulated conditions? Will it be exposed to natural or manmade corrosive elements? Understanding these factors will help you gauge the life span of your components.
Maintenance: Consider whether your application allows for the necessary physical space for maintenance. Make sure you can reach into the areas that will require regular lubrication or cleaning.

Benefits

Here are six key benefits of incorporating thrust bearings into your applications:

Wear Resistance: Thrust washers have a long, durable shelf life to withstand long-term use in high-wear applications.
Enhanced Lubrication: Thrust bearings are often vacuum impregnated with oil, providing increased durability, better sealing, and improved lubrication for smoother operation.
Alignment Assurance: These components reduce misalignment issues by keeping shafts aligned along the axis.

What Is the Difference Between Thrust Bearings and Washers?

Thrust bearings are specifically designed to support axial loads and maintain component alignment along a shaft. The bronze material is meant to wear down first, acting as a sacrificial component to keep the shaft from wearing down first.

A washer is primarily used to distribute the load of other compressing fasteners, like a bolt or a screw. They also keep the fastener from loosening or digging into the mating surface.

Why Are Thrust Bearings Made from Bronze?

One of a thrust bearing's main functions is to fail first. If this happens, the mating shaft components resist more wear and tear and will not need to be replaced nearly as often. In order for this to work, the thrust washer's material must be softer than the shaft material.

Bronze is an ideal material for this function. It is not only softer than most shaft or bore metals, but it also is well suited to reduce friction between metals. Sintered bronze offers the particular benefit of being porous, which allows it to be impregnated with oil and offer additional lubrication to reduce wear, tear, and friction.