Technical information on spherical plain bearings
Spherical plain bearings, maintenance‑free
Features
Spherical plain bearings allow spatial adjustment movements and, depending on the bearing type, can support radial, combined or axial loads.
Radial spherical plain bearings
Maintenance-free radial spherical plain bearings comprise inner rings, outer rings and maintenance-free sliding layers. The inner rings have a cylindrical bore with a curved outer slideway.
The outer rings have a cylindrical outside surface and a concave inner slideway.
Between the inner and outer ring is an ELGOGLIDE sliding surface. The sliding surface in the series GE..-UK and GE..-FW is PTFE composite , while the sliding surface in series GE..-PW is PTFE film . For a description of the sliding surfaces, see link.
The bearings are available in open and sealed designs.
Area of application
Radial spherical plain bearings are preferably used to support radial forces. GE..-UK-2RS(-2TS), GE..-FW-2RS(-2TS), GE..-DW and GE..-DW-2RS2 are also suitable for alternating loads up to a contact pressure of p = 150 N/mm2. The bearings are used where particular requirements for operating life apply in conjunction with maintenance-free operation or where, for reasons of lubrication, bearings with metallic sliding contact surfaces are not suitable, for example under unilateral load.
Large radial spherical plain bearings GE..-DW and GE..-DW-2RS2 of d ≧ 320 mm are X-life bearings and are indicated as such in the dimension tables.
These bearings have even higher performance materials, lower coefficients of friction and lower running-in wear than comparable bearings.