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?
Lv 7
? asked in Science & MathematicsEngineering · 3 months ago

Are there lightweight metals usable as bearings instead as steel.?

6 Answers

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  • Joe
    Lv 4
    3 months ago
    Favourite answer

    Bearings can be, and are, made of of lightweight metals.  Even plastic and glass.  Depends on the application.

  • 3 months ago

    No, ball/roller bearings are very hard steel.

    Bronze bushings are also used. They are softer than the steel shaft. They must be lubed sufficiently.

  • John
    Lv 6
    3 months ago

    Cobalt bearings. Beware that you don't use Cobalt 60, highly radioactive. Uranium 238 is the shutters.

  • 3 months ago

    Journal bearings typically have an alloy called babbit or something similar that is soft and corrosion resistant. 

  • 3 months ago

    steel makes a poor bearing material, you want something softer than steel. Then the bearing can be replaced as it wears, instead of the shaft.

    I'm excluding rolling bearings, as I assume that is not what this is about.

    Plain bearing, consisting of a shaft rotating in a hole. There are several specific styles: bushing, journal bearing, sleeve bearing, rifle bearing, composite bearing;

  • 3 months ago

    Aluminum and titanium.  Google "lightweight bearings" to find ads.

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