Bearing Diagrams – ZXH

Bronze Bearings with a Hardened Metal Spanner
In caster assemblies, using bronze bearings combined with a hardened metal spanner (also known as a spanner bushing) provides a balance of durability, smooth operation, and long-term reliability. Here’s why this combination is often chosen:
High Load Capacity and Durability:
Bronze bearings, often made from alloys like oil-impregnated bronze or SAE 660 bronze, can withstand heavy loads without deforming. They maintain their shape under pressure and impact, making them suitable for heavy-duty caster applications.
Excellent Wear Resistance:
Bronze is inherently wear-resistant and less prone to galling or scoring than many other bearing materials. It can operate effectively over long periods, even with intermittent or low-quality lubrication, which makes it a durable choice for industrial and commercial casters.
Reduced Friction and Smooth Operation:
Bronze bearings have a naturally low coefficient of friction. This property, combined with the hardness and precise fit of a metal spanner, allows the wheel to roll smoothly and consistently under load.
Hardened Metal Spanner as a Secure Mounting Point:
The hardened metal spanner (a precision-machined spacer tube) serves as a stable, wear-resistant surface against which the bearings ride. Because it’s hardened, it resists scoring, deformation, and bending. This ensures that the bearing and wheel remain properly aligned, preventing excessive wobble, uneven wear, and misalignment.
Longer Service Life and Lower Maintenance Costs:
The combination of a bronze bearing and a hardened spanner bushing helps maintain proper wheel geometry and reduces the need for frequent maintenance. With less friction, fewer replacements, and a dependable load distribution, overall operating costs and downtime are minimized.
In essence, using bronze bearings with a hardened metal spanner in caster wheels delivers a robust, low-maintenance, and long-lasting solution ideal for demanding environments, heavy loads, and frequent maneuvering.