The oilless bearing design may be simple or complex. It may amount to picking a bearing from a catalog on the basis of PV factor or may require a sophisticated analysis of lubricant flow.

Most slow-moving or self-lubricated bearings are boundary lubricated. These are generally simple cylinders or flat washers. Grooves may be added to feed lubricant to load-bearing surfaces in boundary-lubricated bearings. Design variables are material, lubricant, and bearing size. Lubricant and material determine the load limit. Size is based on keeping within the lubricant/material limitations.

Due to the heavy equipment, high ambient temperature, large dust or acidic corrosive gases CO, sulfur dioxide, etc. in the air, it brings many problems to the lubrication of equipment. For this reason, the research on inlaid self-lubricating composite materials has With its own characteristics, it is composed of a metal substrate and a solid lubricant paste embedded in the holes or grooves of the substrate. During the friction process, the metal substrate bears most of the load. After friction, the solid lubricant in the hole or groove is transferred or reversely transferred to the friction surface, and a solid transfer film with good lubrication, firm adhesion and uniform coverage is formed on the friction surface, which greatly reduces friction and wears. As the friction progresses, the embedded solid lubricant is continuously supplied to the friction surface, ensuring good lubrication during long-term operation.