
What is a Bronze shaft bushing?
Bronze Shaft bushings are bushings that are specially designed to work on moving shafts. Bushings are components that facilitate the easy movement of two connecting surfaces, and shaft bushings are bushings that are specially used on certain types of shafts. Generally speaking, the sleeve and the bearing seat use an interference fit, while the clearance fit is used with the shaft.
A shaft bronze bushing is a type of shaft bushing that is used for protective purposes. Shaft sleeves slide right on top of shafts and provide a second layer of protection on top of the valuable and vulnerable shaft. One of the most common uses for shaft bronze bushings is to protect shafts that are made of weaker metals. Some metals are highly susceptible to damage from corrosive substances and water. Using a shaft sleeve that is made of more durable metal is a safe way to protect the more vulnerable shaft. The less durable metals may be chosen for the shaft because of their low friction coefficients and their self-lubricating capabilities, and the shaft sleeves protect them.
Shaft Bushing VS Bearing
There is a difference between a bearing and a bronze shaft bushing. The shaft bushing is actually just a type of sliding bearing. The main function of the bearing is to support the mechanical rotating body, reduce the friction coefficient during its movement, and ensure its rotation accuracy. The shaft bronze bushing is a cylindrical mechanical part that is sleeved on the rotating shaft and is an integral part of the sliding bearing.
The shaft bronze bushing is sleeved on the shaft, which can protect the shaft. After wear, the shaft sleeve can be replaced to avoid direct wear of the shaft and reduce maintenance costs; the bearing is the rotating body that supports the shaft, which can reduce friction.
The same between the bronze shaft bushing and the bearing is that both bear the load of the shaft. The difference is that the shaft bronze bushing is an integral structure, and the relative movement between the shaft and the shaft sleeve when rotating; The relative movement of the inner and outer rings of the bearing itself.


The Material Of Shaft Bushing
According to the different requirements, the material of the shaft bushing can be cast iron, cast bronze, bearing alloy, and non-metallic materials such as nylon, PTFE, etc. The bearing alloy is used for high speed and load, and the other way round, cast iron or non-metallic materials can be used. Common equipment bushings with cast bronze as the majority of the shaft tile.
The Role Of Bronze Shaft Bushings In Machinery?
- Fixed: When the gear shaft is moving, try not to let it shift in direction due to vibration. At this time, bronze shaft bushings are needed to help fix it. The most important function of the shaft bushings in the machine is to fix the position. For example, the gear shaft needs to be used when the reducer is installed to fix the central positioning of the shaft and the bearing to prevent it from shifting due to vibration during operation. The bushing is divided into open and non-opened, which depends on the needs of the structure. Usually, the bushing cannot accept axial loads, or can only accept small axial loads or thrust bearings and the shaft is usually round.
- Sliding bearings: This is another role played by the bronze shaft bushing in machinery. To reduce expenses and save costs, sliding bearings are needed at this time, and shaft bushing just has this function. It mainly designs the thickness of the sleeve for the sliding bearing according to the axial direction of the bearing. The sleeve is a kind of sliding bearing. When the rotation of the machine is relatively low and the clearance requirements are relatively high, the shaft can be used in the environment. Sleeves operate in place of rolling bearings. Shaft bushing is wear-resistant and can be used for a long time, so this can help it save costs to a large extent.


Application Of Shaft Bronze Bushing
The copper sleeve on the shaft acts as a bearing, which belongs to the category of sliding bearings. It is a bearing that works under sliding friction. It rotates relative to the shaft and generally needs to be assisted by a lubricating system. Shaft bushings work smoothly, reliably, and without noise. Under liquid lubrication conditions, the sliding surfaces are separated by lubricating oil without direct contact, which can greatly reduce friction loss and surface wear, and the oil film also has a certain ability to absorb vibration
The function is to lubricate, dissipate heat, reduce friction, prolong life, and so on.
Shaft bronze bushings are mainly used in machinery, printing and dyeing, papermaking, chemical industry, aerospace, coal, petroleum, automobile, construction machinery, metallurgy, and other industries.
Shaft Bushing Types
Shaft bushings come in a few different types, as the application they are used for varies based on the type of device that they are mounting and the type of shaft that they are mounting it on. Some of the most common bronze shaft bushing types are the following:
- Keyless
These are used to fasten shafts without any backlash. They work with small bearings and can be mounted to plain shafts without any real issues. - Quick Disconnect
This type of shaft bushing is extremely simple and easy to use. Quick disconnect bushings are easy to install and they usually are used to mount pulleys onto shafts. - Taper Locking
This type of shaft bushing uses a flangeless, threaded design that thrives in high-torque and flush-mounting applications. - Split Taper
This type of shaft bushing uses a double-barreled design to achieve the firmest possible grip on a shaft, reducing slippage.


How To Remove The Bronze Shaft Bushing
Install the puller and remove the coupling or pulley. If it is difficult to pull due to rust, you can inject kerosene or pine rust into the positioning hole, and then pull it after a few hours. If it still can’t be pulled out, you can use the local heating method to heat the surrounding of the pulley bushing with a rapid-fire such as a blowtorch to make it expand and then pull out. But the heating temperature should not be too high to prevent deformation. In the process of disassembly, do not hit the coupling or pulley directly with a hammer or hard object to prevent fragmentation and deformation. If necessary, a wooden board or a copper rod should be used.
Shaft couplings are a special type of shaft bushing that is used to connect parts of a drivetrain. More specifically, shaft couplings are used to connect a driveshaft to a driven shaft, and there are special flanges and threads inside of the coupling to promote torque. Shaft couplings firmly grab both shafts of the drivetrain and transmit power very effectively while also allowing for mechanical flexibility in terms of design.