SAE 841 Sintered Bronze Thrust Washers

Q: Can I ream the ID of a sintered bronze bushing?

A sizing pin (burnishing) is preferred over reaming. Reaming can smear the pores closed unless the tool is extremely sharp. If you must ream, use a very sharp reamer with minimal stock removal and no coolant.

Q: How do I re-oil a sintered bronze bushing?

Soak the bushing in warm (not hot) SAE 30 non-detergent mineral oil for 24 hours. The porous structure will absorb the oil. For faster results, vacuum impregnation can be used if equipment is available.

Q: Do sintered bronze bushings have a shelf life?

Yes. Store sintered bronze in sealed plastic bags or containers. Cardboard and wood are porous and will wick the oil out of the bushings over time, reducing their service life before installation.

Q: What is the maximum speed for sintered bronze?

SAE 841 can operate at speeds up to 1,200 SFM (surface feet per minute). SAE 863 is limited to 225 SFM maximum due to its lower thermal conductivity. Exceeding these limits causes overheating and premature wear.

Select Thrust Washer Sizes and Request a Quote

Filter standard sizes below to build your quote, or contact us for custom machining and non-standard dimensions.

Part #	I.D.	O.D.	Length	Qty	Request Quote

SAE 841 sintered bronze thrust washers are the primary choice for self-lubricating axial load applications in automated machinery and home appliances due to their maintenance-free, high-speed/low-load performance. The oil-impregnated structure absorbs thrust forces between shaft shoulders and housing faces without external lubrication—ideal for pumps, motors, and gearboxes requiring zero-maintenance operation.

Pumps & Fluid Handling

Centrifugal pump impeller assemblies, gear pump end plates, hydraulic pump shaft supports, and submersible pump motor mounts. Thrust washers absorb the axial forces generated by rotating impellers—forces that would otherwise push shafts out of alignment. SAE 841's self-lubricating properties are critical in pump applications where the pumped fluid provides some lubrication but not enough to eliminate metal-to-metal contact. Oil-impregnated sintered bronze maintains its lubrication even during dry-start conditions.

Electric Motors & Generators

Fractional horsepower motor end bells, fan motor shaft ends, blower motor assemblies, and small generator shaft supports. Electric motors generate axial thrust from magnetic forces and shaft float. Thrust washers positioned at shaft ends prevent rotor displacement while maintaining the precise air gap between rotor and stator. SAE 841's low friction coefficient (approximately 0.05-0.15) keeps parasitic losses minimal—important for motor efficiency ratings.

Gearboxes & Power Transmission

Speed reducer thrust faces, gear shaft end-play control, worm gear thrust surfaces, and power take-off assemblies. Helical gears generate significant axial thrust during torque transmission. Thrust washers absorb these forces while maintaining gear mesh alignment. With a PV rating of 50,000 and speeds up to 1,200 SFM, SAE 841 handles the load-speed combinations typical of industrial gearboxes. The self-lubricating property extends service intervals in sealed gearbox housings.

Automotive & Transportation

Transmission gear spacers, differential thrust surfaces, steering column supports, and power window motor assemblies. Automotive thrust washers see intermittent operation with occasional high loads—exactly the duty cycle where oil-impregnated bronze excels. During idle periods, oil wicks back into the porous structure. At startup, the oil releases to provide immediate lubrication before hydrodynamic film develops. Temperature stability from 10°F to 220°F covers both cold-start conditions and under-hood heat.

Industrial Machinery & Conveyors

Conveyor head pulley shaft ends, winch drum assemblies, indexing table drives, and rotary valve shaft supports. Industrial equipment demands maintenance-free operation over extended shifts. Thrust washers in conveyor drives absorb the axial component of belt tension while the sleeve bearing handles radial loads. SAE 841's approximately 20% oil content by volume provides a self-contained lubricant supply—no grease fittings, no scheduled re-lubrication, no production downtime for maintenance.

Agricultural & Construction Equipment

Tractor PTO shaft assemblies, combine header drives, excavator slew ring supports, and loader arm pivot points. Off-highway equipment operates in dusty, dirty environments where external lubrication attracts contamination. Oil-impregnated bronze thrust washers deliver maintenance-free performance without exposed grease that traps abrasives. Seasonal equipment benefits particularly—stored tractors and combines start up reliably after months of idle time because the oil remains in the bearing structure.

Custom Pressed to Your Specifications

For production quantities requiring non-standard dimensions, we can create sintered bronze thrust washers pressed to your exact specifications. The powder metallurgy process compacts oil-impregnated bronze powder into a custom die, then sinters at high temperature to bond the particles while preserving the porous, self-lubricating structure.

Process Overview

Custom tooling created from your specifications
Bronze powder compacted under high pressure
Sintering bonds particles without liquefying
Oil impregnation fills interconnected pores
Finished parts maintain consistent density and self-lubricating properties

Best Suited For

Production volumes where tooling cost can be amortized
Applications requiring specific ID, OD, or thickness combinations
Designs needing consistent part-to-part repeatability

Machined from Sintered Bronze Disc Stock

For lower quantities, prototypes, or one-off requirements, we machine custom thrust washers from oil-impregnated sintered bronze disc stock. The disc stock is manufactured through the same powder metallurgy process and arrives pre-impregnated with lubricating oil, maintaining the self-lubricating properties in your finished part.

Advantages

No tooling investment required
Custom ID, OD, and thickness without dedicated tooling
Faster turnaround than custom pressing
Ideal for prototypes and short production runs

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers to common technical questions about sintered bronze thrust washers.

What is the difference between SAE 841 and SAE 863?

SAE 841 is oil-impregnated bronze optimized for high speeds (up to 1,200 SFM) and moderate loads. SAE 863 is an iron-copper alloy designed for high loads (up to 4,000 PSI) but limited to slow speeds (max 225 SFM).

Choose SAE 841 for most rotary applications; choose SAE 863 for heavy-duty, slow-moving linkages.

Should I grease sintered bronze bushings?

No. Never use grease on sintered bronze. Grease clogs the surface pores and prevents the impregnated oil from reaching the bearing surface.

If additional lubrication is needed, use only SAE 30 non-detergent mineral oil.

Can I machine sintered bronze?

Yes, but use sharp carbide tools and avoid coolant. Machining can smear the surface pores closed, reducing oil flow.

Use light cuts, sharp tools, and air blast only for chip removal. Never use water-based coolants—they displace the oil and cause corrosion.

Can I ream the ID of a sintered bronze bushing?

How do I re-oil a sintered bronze bushing?

Do sintered bronze bushings have a shelf life?

What is the maximum speed for sintered bronze?

Oil-impregnated, self-lubricating bronze per ASTM B438. Standard and custom sizes.