What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
(OP)
Most split plain bearings it seems have a vertical cut parallel to the axis. I have also seen split plain bearings with a 45 degree or other angle cut. How does the angle of cut affect the performance of the bearing, if at all? I'm particularly interested in radially loaded bearings.





RE: What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
The angle of the bearing within the housing could serve two purposes. Turning the bearings 90 degrees to put the split in the vertical can help to align the top cover with the bottom of the bearing housing. Or, the angle can be changed to move the oil distribution groove or any other internal feature (pressure dam, etc.) relative to the load zone for the particular application.
If you are referring to some other angle within the bearings, I don’t know what that would be.
Johnny Pellin
RE: What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
RE: What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
Johnny Pellin
RE: What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
I'm guessing that if you used a bushing with a straight split, the cylinder wall would develop an un-scuffed axial stripe at the gap that would catalyze a twisting failure of the piston seal.
With the slash cut, the cylinder wall should wear more uniformly.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
I see bearings with horizontal splits (like these), and assumed the split was to allow for shaft or housing diameter tolerances.
RE: What effect does the angle of split have on a plain bearing?
Rolling such a bushing from sheet stock can be an economical method to combine a height strength steel backing and a good working surface material with uniform wall thickness.
Sometimes features are provided to lock the split closed ( before being pressed into the housing ).