Self-lubricating sintered bearings have three typical shapes:

• Cylindrical shape. It is suitable when the bearing operates under radial load, without—or with very low—axial load.
• Flanged and cylindrical shape. It is used when the bearing operates under axial load, with or without radial load. The flange absorbs the axial load.
• Spherical bearings. They can withstand radial and/or axial loads. They are also used when the bearing swivels in operation or when it has to absorb shaft misalignment.

Self-lubricating sintered bearings are parts with high dimensional precision in diameter, typically reaching an IT between 5 and 7 for inner diameter and IT between 6 and 8 for outer diameter according to the table of fundamental tolerance s on ISO 286 standard. The length precision is around IT-12. The precision of shape and position characteristics is more variable, typically between IT-2 and IT-8 depending on the bushing geometry and the specific dimension.

These tolerances may be affected by the geometry of the component, the type of material and the manufacturing process.

The dimensions of a self-lubricating sintered bearing manufactured by AMES are, indicatively:

• Outer diameter: 2.5 – 200 mm
• Inner diameter: > 1 mm
• Length: 1.5 – 170 mm
• Frontal surface area: < 125 cm²