Oilless Bearing

Graphite Plugged Bronze Half Bushing

Graphite Plugged Bronze Half Bushing

Self-lubricating bronze bearings are engineered for applications where external lubrication is impractical. Solid lubricants are compressed and molded directly into the bearing to guarantee a maintenance-free product. No additional lubrication is necessary.

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Graphite Plugged Bronze Half Bushing | Self-Lubricating Split Bronze Bearing Solutions

Graphite Plugged Bronze Half Bushings provide maintenance-free, self-lubricating performance for heavy-duty machinery. Custom manufactured with bronze alloys and solid graphite lubrication for high loads, low speeds, and harsh environments.

Graphite plugged bronze half bushing with solid lubricant graphite inserts
Custom Split Bronze Half Bushings with Graphite Lubrication Plugs

Split Self-Lubricating Bearings for Fixed Shafts and Split Housings

VIIPLUS graphite plugged bronze half bushings are engineered for high-load, low-speed and oscillating applications where removing the shaft during maintenance is impractical. Their split, half-shell construction enables replacement from one side of a split housing or clamping cap, reducing shutdown work on fixed-shaft assemblies.

Each bearing combines a precision-machined bronze body with solid graphite plugs embedded across the working surface. During sliding motion, graphite transfers to the mating shaft and creates a dry lubricating film. The result is dependable self-lubricating performance with no external oil lines, grease fittings or routine relubrication system required.

Designed to drawing. Every half bushing is machined to the required housing, shaft, load condition and mounting method—not supplied as a generic half ring.

Why Choose a Split Graphite Plugged Bronze Bushing?

Product advantage
Practical value
Split half-shell design
Installs around a fixed shaft without complete shaft removal.
Solid graphite lubrication
Supports dry running and minimizes dependence on external lubricant supply.
Bronze alloy body
Provides strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance suited to the selected duty.
Engineered plug layout
Plug density and pattern are matched to load direction, speed and oscillating movement.
Custom-machined geometry
Available with straight or radiused bores, bolt tabs, dowel holes and anti-rotation features.
Split bronze half bushing with embedded graphite lubrication plugs
Oil free graphite plugged bronze sleeve bearing for industrial equipment

Oilless split Bronze busing Built for Demanding Fixed-Shaft Applications

Graphite plugged bronze half bearings are a practical solution where accessibility, contamination or continuous service make conventional lubricated bearings difficult to maintain. Typical installations include steel mill chock pivots, roll stands, guide arms, crane and machinery pivots, water-exposed linkages, heavy equipment joints and large sliding supports.

 

The split configuration is especially useful for refurbishment projects. A worn bearing can be measured or reverse engineered, then reproduced as a matched replacement to fit the existing shaft and housing arrangement.

Heavy duty bronze half bushing manufactured with graphite plugs

Graphite embedded bronze half bushing for crane and mining equipment

Custom graphite plugged bronze half bushings designed for easy installation, reduced downtime, and long service life. Ideal for cranes, mining equipment, hydraulic systems, marine machinery, and industrial applications.

C86300 Self lubricating bronze split bushing with graphite inserts

split Bearing Bronze Material Options

The bronze grade is selected according to load, environment, movement and required service life. VIIPLUS can recommend a suitable alloy once the operating conditions are confirmed.
Bronze alloy
Typical application
Key benefit
C95400 Aluminum Bronze
Medium-load pivots, wet or water-spray zones, general industrial equipment
Good corrosion resistance with balanced mechanical strength
C86300 Manganese Bronze
Heavy-load mill stands, chock pivots and high-compression bearing positions
High compressive strength for severe-duty service
C93200 Bearing Bronze
Moderate-load, lower-speed and oscillating applications
Good embeddability and cost-effective bearing performance
For elevated-temperature service, we select high-purity, low-ash graphite to help preserve a stable transfer film during continuous operation.

Self-Lubricating Graphite Plug Design

The graphite plug pattern is an engineering feature, not a surface decoration. Plug coverage, spacing and orientation are designed around the direction of motion and the bearing pressure profile.
Operating condition
Recommended design approach
Low-speed sliding
Higher graphite coverage to support consistent dry-film transfer
Static or high-load duty
Plug distribution focused around the loaded bearing zone
Oscillating pivots
Staggered diamond pattern for frequent reversal of motion
Low-RPM unidirectional rotation
Helical plug path to distribute graphite along the running surface
Typical graphite surface coverage is 15%–35%, subject to shaft condition, bearing pressure, motion type and service temperature. A shaft hardness of HB 180 or above is generally recommended for demanding applications.
JZW Oilless Split Bushing Bearing

OEM Replacement Graphite Bronze Half Bushings | Custom Machined Bearings

Standard and Custom Dimensions

Half bushings are manufactured to your drawing, sample or measured worn component. The following ranges are common; larger or non-standard configurations can be reviewed on request.

Feature
Standard capability
Bearing form
Split half bushing / half-shell bearing; straight or radiused ID
Wall thickness
6–40 mm, with custom thickness available
Segment length
Up to 500 mm per segment, or matched to the housing layout
Locating options
Bolt tabs, dowel holes, anti-rotation pins, clamping-cap features and drawing-specific details
Default fit
ISO H7 housing / h9 shaft, adjustable to project requirements
Manufacturing route
Machined from cast or continuous-cast bronze stock

Custom Manufacturing Support

Send us a technical drawing, a sample part or clear photos with caliper measurements. Our engineering team can confirm the required geometry, alloy, graphite pattern and mounting details before production. Reverse engineering is available for worn or obsolete half bushings where no original drawing remains.

 

Installation Guidance

A clean, correctly prepared installation helps the graphite transfer film develop as intended. Clean the housing seat thoroughly and remove scale, debris and old lubricant residue. The shaft running surface should normally be finished to Ra 1.6–3.2 μm. Install the two halves using a light press fit or the designed clamping cap; avoid hammering directly on the graphite working face.
No running-in grease is normally required. For the intended dry-running duty, the bearing may be started without an external grease supply after proper installation and alignment.

 

Request a Drawing Review or Quotation

To receive a quotation for custom graphite plugged bronze half bushings, please send your drawing, existing part dimensions or application details. Include shaft diameter, housing bore, segment length, load direction, movement type, operating temperature and the preferred bronze alloy if known.

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VIIPLUS manufactures split self-lubricating bronze bearings to print, with lead times starting from two weeks for common alloys and standard machining requirements.
Split Bushing With Solid Lubricant
bronze split bearings, bronze liner

Heavy Load Graphite Plugged Bronze Half Bushings | Maintenance-Free Bearings

High-performance graphite plugged bronze half sleeve bushings deliver excellent wear resistance, corrosion protection, and self-lubrication under extreme operating conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes. The split half-shell design is specifically intended for applications with fixed or difficult-to-remove shafts. The two bearing halves are fitted from the accessible side of the housing and retained by the relevant clamping or locating features.

C86300 manganese bronze is commonly selected for high-compression and heavy-load pivot positions. Final alloy selection should consider bearing pressure, speed, shaft material, temperature and exposure to corrosion or contamination.

They are designed to provide self-lubrication through solid graphite plugs, so a continuous external grease supply is generally not required. Do not apply a grease-based maintenance regime unless it is specified for the complete equipment design.

A drawing is ideal. Otherwise, provide the shaft diameter, housing ID, bearing length, wall thickness, split configuration, retention features, application load, motion type and operating environment.

Custom Bronze Bushing Solutions Tailored self lubricating Designs

Can’t find the right fit? We provide custom-engineered self lubricating bushing and replaced bearing solutions based on your technical drawings. From material selection to groove geometry, we solve your unique bearing challenges.