Bimetallic bushing: innovation and application in industrial design

In the field of modern mechanical engineering, friction and wear are one of the important factors for the performance degradation of mechanical parts. As an effective solution, bimetallic bush is gradually becoming the first choice of many industry engineers. It not only optimizes the mechanical design, but also greatly improves the operating efficiency and life of the equipment.

Bimetallic bushing is a new type of bushing product composed of two different metal materials. Generally speaking, the outer layer is made of high-strength steel or copper alloy to ensure the structural strength of the bushing; while the inner layer is made of soft metal materials such as bronze and babbitt alloy with good wear resistance and self-lubricating properties. This unique combination of materials enables the bimetallic bushing to maintain high hardness while also having wear resistance. More importantly, due to the good self-lubricating properties of the inner layer material, it can maintain good sliding performance even in an oil-free state, thereby reducing maintenance costs and extending service life.

With the development of precision casting technology and powder metallurgy technology, the production of bimetallic bushings is no longer a problem. By hot pressing or cold pressing the two metal materials, their close combination can be achieved. In this process, temperature control is particularly important. Too high a temperature may cause uneven melting of the material or even produce pores, while too low a temperature will affect the bonding strength between the two layers of material. Therefore, in actual operation, it is necessary to set the optimal process parameters according to the specific material. The surface hardness and wear resistance of the bimetallic bushing can be further improved through surface treatment such as chrome plating and nitriding.

Bimetallic bushings have been widely used in many industries due to their performance. For example, in the automotive manufacturing industry, it can be used as a sliding bearing at the engine piston pin; in the field of agricultural machinery, it is often used as a support on gearboxes and drive shafts; and in the shipbuilding industry, due to the strong corrosiveness of seawater, bimetallic bushings have become an indispensable key component. In addition, with the rise of the new energy industry, bimetallic bushings have also begun to be introduced into emerging fields such as wind turbines and electric vehicles.