Bearing materials—selection for heavy duty applications Heavy duty bearings are usually manufactured from which material class?

Introduction / Context:
Choosing bearing materials requires balancing load capacity, fatigue strength, embeddability, compatibility with shafts, and resistance to wear and seizure. Different operating severities call for different alloys. For heavy duty service, the material must carry high specific pressures and resist scoring while still offering reasonable machinability and dimensional stability.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Service is classified as heavy duty with high loads.
• Lubrication is present but may be imperfect at times.
• Operating temperatures are moderate to elevated depending on duty.

Concept / Approach:
Phosphor bronze (a copper–tin alloy with small phosphorus additions) offers high fatigue strength, good load carrying ability, and decent wear resistance. It is a traditional choice for heavy duty plain bearings and bushings, especially in slow to medium speed, high-load applications. Babbitt or white metal (tin- or lead-based) excels in conformability and embeddability but is softer and therefore generally better for light to medium duty. Monel and zinc do not meet the typical tribological requirements for heavy duty bearing linings in standard practice.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Machine design texts specify phosphor bronze and certain aluminum bronzes for heavy duty bushings. White metal is recommended where compatibility and seizure resistance are critical under moderate loads.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• White metal: excellent embeddability and conformability but insufficient strength for heavy loads.
• Monel: corrosion resistant nickel–copper alloy, not a standard bearing liner for heavy duty.
• Zinc: lacks the mechanical and tribological profile for high-load bearings.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming the softest material is always best due to conformability; for heavy duty, strength and wear resistance are decisive.

Final Answer:
phosphorous bronze