Bronze thrust washers carry axial load between rotating or sliding components. They are used when a shaft, gear, pin, pivot, or linkage needs a sacrificial bearing face that can be replaced without replacing the larger mating components.
For general industrial service, C93200 / SAE 660 bearing bronze is the default starting material. For higher thrust load, poor lubrication, or slow oscillating motion, aluminum bronze, manganese bronze, or graphite-plugged bronze may be a better fit.
| Quick spec | Catalog reference |
|---|---|
| Bearing type | Flat washer for axial load and thrust face protection |
| 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 |
| Common options | Oil grooves, graphite plugs, tabs, slots, bolt holes, non-round profiles |
| Size format | ID x OD x Thickness |
Manufacturing & Performance
Bronze thrust washers are machined from continuous cast plate, bar, or tube depending on size and quantity. A controlled machined surface is important because washer performance depends on face flatness, parallelism, lubrication, and the pressure velocity of the application.
Grooves are often added to move oil or grease across the thrust face. In dirty or hard-to-lubricate service, graphite-plugged bronze can provide a solid lubricant film at the contact surface.
Standard Tolerances
Washer tolerances depend heavily on thickness, face flatness, and whether the washer is stamped, saw-cut, waterjet-cut, or fully machined. The table below reflects common machined bronze bearing tolerance language used in cast bronze catalogs and should be confirmed to the print.
| Feature | Typical machined tolerance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ID, 3.000” and under | +/- .0010” | Bearing-style bore tolerance when required |
| ID, over 3.000” | +/- .0015” | Confirm if clearance is critical |
| OD, 3.000” and under | +.002” / +.003” | Catalog-style machined OD tolerance |
| OD, over 3.000” | +.003” / +.005” | May change for cut plate washers |
| Thickness | Quote by drawing | Face parallelism matters as much as thickness |
Size & Availability
Bronze thrust washers are specified as ID x OD x thickness. Inch and metric sizes are available, along with custom washers from print. Common custom features include lubrication grooves, graphite plugs, bolt holes, drive tabs, flats, keyways, and segmented washer sets for trapped shafts.
Alternative Alloys
- C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze for general thrust washer work.
- C95400 Aluminum Bronze for stronger thrust faces and heavier load.
- C86300 Manganese Bronze for low-speed, high-load wear parts.
- C95800 Marine Bronze when corrosion resistance is part of the design.
Typical Applications
- Gearboxes, transmissions, pumps, hoists, and rotary equipment.
- Construction and agricultural equipment pivots.
- Hydraulic cylinder eyes and linkage assemblies.
- Marine hardware, winches, and heavy-duty hinge points.
RFQ Details That Speed Up Quoting
Send ID, OD, thickness, alloy, quantity, groove pattern, required flatness or parallelism, and whether the part carries continuous rotation, intermittent thrust, or oscillating load.