Difference Between Bearing and Bushing

Every machine has some sort of moving parts that involve relative sliding or rolling motion. Examples of relative motion are linear sliding motion, such as in machine tools, and rotation motion, such as in motor vehicle wheels. Bearings are precision-made machine components that allow machinery to move at extremely high speeds, while reducing friction between moving parts and handling stress. Most bearings are used to support rotating shafts in machines. When two bodies that are loaded by a normal force are rubbed together, it generates energy losses by friction and wear. Appropriate bearing design minimizes friction and wear. Bearings are so designed to extend bearing life in machines, reduce friction energy losses and wear, thereby reducing maintenance expenses.

Bushing is a cylindrical-shaped machine component, an independent plain bearing that is used to support a shaft. It is technically identical to a bearing except it’s a single independent one-part device whereas bearing is mostly made of two or more components. Mechanical bushings are mainly used as a support component in an assembly to reduce the friction and wear between mechanical parts. Bushings are the most important component of power transformers and without it, the power transformers would cease to exist. It allows relative motion by sliding, as compared to rolling. It might also be called a sleeve bearing however, the term would be redundant. Let’s take a look at the two machine components in detail.

What is Bearing?

A bearing is a precision-made machine component that allows machinery to move at extremely high speeds, while reducing friction between moving parts and handling stress. Most bearings are used to support rotating shafts in machines. Bearings allow relative movement between the components of machines, while providing some type of location between them. The form of bearing which can be used is determined by the nature of the relative movement required and the type of constraints which have to be applied to it. Bearings are specifically designed to extend bearing life in machines, reduce friction energy losses and wear, and minimize maintenance expenses. Bearings may be divided into two general classes: journal bearings and thrust bearings. In journal bearings, the load acts at right angles to the axis, whereas in thrust bearings, the load acts parallel to the axis.

What is Bushing?

Bushing is an independent plain bearing that is used to support a shaft and operates with sliding motion between the moving surfaces. It is a round-shaped cylindrical component used in numerous applications, providing features that are not associated with many other rolling-element bearings. Bushings are mainly plain bearings equipped with rolling elements such as roller or ball, and used as a support element in an assembly. The thing that distinguishes bushings from other rolling element bearings is its assembly – bushing is comprised of only one part rather than multiple parts as with bearings. One of the most common applications of bushing is in vehicle suspension systems, where rubber bushings are used throughout a vehicle’s suspension to ensure a balance between a good ride and reasonable durability.

Difference between Bearing and Bushing

1. Basics of Bearing Vs. Bushing

– Bearings are precision-made machine components that allow machinery to move at extremely high speeds, while reducing friction between moving parts and handling stress. Most bearings are used to support rotating shafts in machines. Bushing, on the other hand, is an independent plain bearing that is used to support a shaft and operates with sliding motion between the moving surfaces. It is a round-shaped cylindrical component used in numerous applications, providing features that are not associated with many other rolling-element bearings. Bushing goes into a housing assembly to provide a bearing surface for rotary applications.

2. Assembly of Bearing Vs. Bushing 

– Bushings are mainly plain bearings equipped with rolling elements such as roller or ball, and used as a support element in an assembly, whereas bearings allow relative movement between the components of machines, while providing some type of location between them. Bushings are independent plain bearings that are mostly comprised of several different materials combined to form a single load carrying assembly. The one thing that distinguishes bushings from other rolling-element bearings is that bushings are mainly a single independent one-part assembly whereas bearings are made of two or more components.

3. Applications of Bearing and Bushing

 – Ordinary bearings have a sliding contact whereas ball and roller bearings have a rolling contact. Vehicles need bearings for the wheels, steering mechanism, transmission internal components, and suspension components. Bearings are also used in aircrafts, shifts, pumps, power turbines, manufacturing machine tools, and home appliances. They are mainly used in high-precision, low-load applications such as clocks. One of the most common applications of bushing is in vehicle suspension systems. Rotary bushings are incorporated into many machine related operations that require precision machined parts. Sleeve bushings aid in controlling friction and wear in dynamically-loaded applications.

Bearing vs. Bushing: Comparison Chart

Summary of Bearing Vs. Bushing

While bushing is technically identical to a bearing except it’s a single independent one-part device whereas bearing is mostly made of two or more components. 

Bushing is more like a bearing used to support a shaft and operates with sliding motion between the moving surfaces, whereas bearings are not necessarily a bushing type. 

In fact, bearings are so designed to extend bearing life in machines, reduce friction energy losses and wear, thereby reducing maintenance expenses. Most bearings are used to support rotating shafts in machines. Bushings are mostly brass or bronze, whereas bearings are self lubricated.

Sharing is caring!