Plain bronze sleeve bushings are general-purpose radial bearings used where a shaft needs a durable, machined bearing surface without rolling elements. They are commonly specified for moderate speed, moderate load, good embeddability, and reliable performance in industrial equipment that sees dirt, vibration, or imperfect alignment.
For most RFQs, the default callout is a continuously cast C93200 / SAE 660 bearing bronze sleeve bearing. Send the required ID, OD, length, alloy, tolerance, groove pattern, and quantity, and we can quote standard sleeve bushings or custom machined parts from drawing.
| Quick spec | Catalog reference |
|---|---|
| Bearing type | Plain sleeve bushing for radial load |
| Default material | Continuous cast C93200 / SAE 660 bearing bronze |
| Typical composition | 83% copper, 7% tin, 7% lead, 3% zinc |
| Typical mechanical data | 44,000 PSI tensile, 27,000 PSI yield, Brinell hardness around 72 |
| Service temperature often listed for C93200 sleeve bearings | -350°F to +450°F |
| Size format | ID x OD x Length |
Manufacturing & Performance
C93200 sleeve bushings are usually machined from continuous cast bronze bar or cored bar. Continuous casting produces a dense, uniform grain structure with less porosity than many static casting methods, which helps the bearing machine cleanly and carry load evenly across the bore.
The leaded tin bronze structure gives C93200 its practical bearing behavior: good machinability, anti-friction performance, and enough conformability to tolerate minor shaft or housing imperfections. For lubrication, sleeves can be supplied plain, oil-grooved, grease-grooved, or drilled depending on shaft speed, duty cycle, and maintenance access.
Standard Tolerances
These are common catalog tolerances published for machined C93200 cast bronze sleeve bearings. Final tolerances should always be confirmed against your print, shaft fit, housing fit, and inspection plan.
| Nominal size | ID tolerance | OD tolerance | Length tolerance | Concentricity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.000” and under | +/- .0010” | +.002” / +.003” | +/- .005” | .003” T.I.R. |
| Over 3.000” | +/- .0015” | +.003” / +.005” | +/- .005” | .003” T.I.R. |
| Metric sleeves | Quote by print or metric catalog size | Quote by print or metric catalog size | Quote by print | Quote by print |
Size & Availability
Sleeve bushings are specified as ID x OD x Length. Inch and metric sizes are both available, with custom lengths, wall thicknesses, chamfers, cross holes, oil grooves, figure-eight grooves, and special OD or ID fits available from drawing.
For maintenance buyers, include the shaft diameter, housing bore, installed clearance target, and whether the old bushing was press-fit, slip-fit, pinned, or retained by a flange or shoulder.
Alternative Alloys
C93200 is the standard starting point, but it is not the only option. Higher load, shock, corrosion, or low-speed service may call for a different alloy.
- C95400 Aluminum Bronze for higher strength and heavier load.
- C86300 Manganese Bronze for severe-duty, low-speed, high-load bearing work.
- SAE 841 Sintered Bronze when oil impregnation and low-maintenance service are more important than machined cast bronze strength.
- C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze for the standard cast bronze sleeve bearing material.
Typical Applications
- Construction equipment pivots, linkages, and repair bushings.
- Agricultural machinery, implements, and hydraulic cylinder pivots.
- Pumps, gearboxes, conveyors, hoists, and general plant maintenance.
- Automotive, trailer, marine, and off-road equipment replacement bearings.
RFQ Details That Speed Up Quoting
Send the drawing or old part dimensions, required alloy, ID, OD, length, quantity, tolerance class, lubrication grooves, special inspection requirements, and whether you need inch or metric sizing. If you are replacing a failed bearing, shaft condition and lubrication history are useful details.