What are the advantages of plain bearings over rolling element bearings?

Plain bearings offer higher load capacity, simpler construction, and better resistance to shock and vibration. They are ideal for oscillating and pivoting applications.

Do you offer self-lubricating plain bearings?

Yes. IBSCO supplies self-lubricating PTFE-lined and composite plain bearings, which eliminate the need for maintenance in many applications.

Can IBSCO provide aerospace-qualified plain bearings?

Absolutely. We supply plain bearings qualified to SAE and OEM-specific standards with full traceability and certifications.

Which OEMs does IBSCO partner with for plain bearings?

We partner with Aurora, NHBB, RBC, GGB, Schaeffler, and Specline to provide a wide range of aerospace and industrial plain bearing solutions.

Do you supply rod end bearings as part of your plain bearing offering?

Yes. IBSCO supplies spherical rod end bearings for aerospace, defense, and industrial linkage systems.

Plain Bearings

High-Performance Plain Bearings for Demanding Applications

IBSCO supplies plain bearings engineered for aerospace, industrial, and high-performance applications where simplicity, durability, and high load capacity are required. Unlike rolling element bearings, plain bearings support motion through sliding contact, making them ideal for applications that require oscillating, pivoting, or continuous rotation in rugged environments.  

With partnerships across leading OEMs, we provide a broad range of sleeve, flanged, and spherical plain bearings. Combined with our certified cleanroom relubrication services, we deliver tailored solutions to meet both OEM production and MRO requirements.

Key Advantages

High load capacity with simple, robust designs
Available in self-lubricating, metal-to-metal, or composite-lined options
Resistant to shock, vibration, and harsh environmental conditions
Excellent for oscillating and pivoting applications
Maintenance-free PTFE-lined designs available
Custom lubrication options for aerospace, vacuum, and cryogenic environments
Extended service life in demanding operating conditions

OEM Partnerships

IBSCO partners with leading OEMs to supply plain bearings for aerospace, defense, and industrial systems. Our partnerships ensure full traceability and reliable performance.

Supplies spherical bearings, rod ends, and bushings for aerospace and industrial motion systems.

Specializes in polymer-coated, composite, and bimetal plain bearing solutions.

Produces spherical plain bearings, journal bearings, and rod ends for aerospace and rotorcraft systems.

Provides spherical plain bearings and bushings for and industrial applications.

Offers a broad line of plain and spherical bearings with Mil-Spec, FAA and OEM approvals.

Manufacturer of precision plain bearings tailored for aerospace and defense systems.

What Are Plain Bearings?

Plain bearings, which include spherical, rod end and bushings, use sliding contact surfaces rather than rolling elements to support motion and mis-alignment. They are ideal for oscillating, pivoting, or continuous rotation where robustness, load capacity, and simplicity are more critical than minimizing friction.

Construction & Bearing Types

Sleeve Bearings (Bushings)

Straight cylindrical designs for radial load applications.

Flanged Bearings (Flanged Bushings)

Provide axial location in addition to radial load support.

Spherical Plain Bearings

Swaged, load slot, split ball, and high-misalignment designs (up to ±15°); Bonded PTFE liners (maintenance-free), machinable liners, or metal-to-metal options.

Rod End Bearings

Spherical plain bearings integrated into threaded housings for linkage assemblies.

Composite & Polymer Bearings

Self-lubricating designs with excellent resistance to corrosion and wear.

Specifications & Standards

IBSCO supplies plain bearings in accordance with SAE, NAS, and OEM-specific standards. Available in inch and metric sizes, our plain bearings are manufactured from a variety of materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and composites. Self-lubricating PTFE liners, machinable liners, or metal-to-metal designs are available to meet specific aerospace and industrial requirements.

Applications

Application Area	Examples	Bearing Types
Aerospace	Landing gear, flap linkages, actuators	Spherical plain, rod ends, journal bearings
Industrial	Hydraulic cylinders, construction machinery, heavy-duty equipment	Sleeve, flanged, spherical plain
High-Tech	Robotics, automation, semiconductor tools	Spherical plain, composite bearings
Defense	Vehicle suspensions, turret systems, weapon mounts	Metal-to-metal spherical bearings

Plain Bearings – Spec Table

Type	Key Features	Common Applications	OEM Availability
Sleeve Bearings	Straight cylindrical	Industrial pumps, aerospace linkages	NHBB, RBC, GGB, Aurora (Timken), Specline (RBC)
Flanged Bearings	Radial + axial support	Hydraulic cylinders, gearboxes	RBC, GGB
Spherical Plain Bearings	Allow misalignment, PTFE-lined or metal-to-metal	Aircraft controls, suspensions	NHBB, RBC, GGB, Aurora (Timken), Specline (RBC)
Rod End Bearings	Threaded housing with spherical insert	Landing gear, actuators, robotics	Aurora, NHBB, RBC
Composite Bearings	Self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant	Medical devices, automation	GGB