Dry Bushes and Washers

What are Dry Bushes?

Dry bushes are cylindrical bearing sleeves fitted between a shaft and housing to reduce friction and wear.

Most dry bushes are made from a multi-layer composite like:

• Steel backing which provides mechanical strength
• Porous bronze layer which improves bonding and heat dissipation
• PTFE / solid lubricant layer which ensures low-friction dry running

These composite dry bushes can handle loads up to 250 N/mm² and temperatures around 280°C, depending on design.

What are Dry Washers?

Dry washers are specialized self-lubricating thrust washers or bearing washers designed to operate with little or no external lubrication in high-load, low-speed, or oscillating applications. They are commonly used wherever conventional oil or grease lubrication is difficult, undesirable, or impractical.

Dry washers are generally manufactured as a multi-layer composite material, typically consisting of steel backing that provides strength and dimensional stability, a sintered bronze layer which creates a strong bonding layer and improves load carrying capacity and a PTFE / polymer sliding layer offers low friction and wear resistance.

A common industrial construction is:

Low carbon steel backing

Porous bronze layer (approximately 90% copper, 10% tin)

PTFE-based sliding surface

This construction allows dry washers to work under loads up to around 250 N/mm² and temperatures up to +280°C in some industrial grades.

Working Principle of Dry Bushes and Washers

When a shaft rotates or slides inside the Bush the self-lubricating surface creates a low-friction film between the shaft and bush. Solid lubricants such as graphite or PTFE gradually transfer to the mating surface. This creates a thin transfer layer that minimizes metal-to-metal contact. Friction and wear are reduced even under high loads or slow speeds. Heat generated during operation is dissipated through the metal backing.

Dry Washers (also called Thrust Washers) work on the same principle but are designed to handle axial loads instead of radial loads. Dry Washers are positioned between two moving surfaces which supports axial or thrust loads. The self-lubricating layer reduces friction during rotational or sliding movement and prevents surface wear, scoring, and seizure.

Key Features of Dry Bushes and Washers

• Self-lubricating design
• No oil or grease required
• High load carrying capacity
• Low coefficient of friction
• Excellent wear resistance
• Corrosion resistant
• Suitable for dusty environments
• Long service life
• Low maintenance requirements

Types of Dry Bushes & Washers

Applications of Dry Bushes and Washers

Dry bushes and washers are widely used in industries where high load, low maintenance, and lubrication-free operation are critical.

• Automotive Industry
• Textile Machinery
• Packaging Equipment
• Construction Machinery
• Material Handling Equipment
• Hydraulic Systems
• Agricultural Machinery
• Industrial Automation
• Steel and Cement Plant
• Pharmaceutical Machinery
• Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Plants
• Pumps, Compressors & Generators

Why Choose our Dry Bushes and Washers?

Our dry bushes and washers are manufactured using premium-grade raw materials and advanced production techniques to deliver:

• Precision dimensions
• Consistent quality
• Superior load performance
• Extended operational life
• Custom sizes as per drawings and samples

Frequently Asked Questions