Joint bearings are a type of spherical sliding bearings, with sliding contact surfaces consisting of an inner spherical surface and an outer spherical surface. They can rotate and swing at any angle during movement. They are made using various special processing methods such as surface phosphating, blasting, pad insertion, and spraying.

Radial spherical plain bearing is a pair of sliding friction pairs composed of external medicine with internal circular surface and internal ring with external spherical surface. It is mainly used in mechanical mechanisms with low requirements for mechanical concentricity, high pressure on working surface and low-speed swing, repeated tilt and rotary motion.

The sliding friction pairs of radial plain bearings can be composed of different materials. There are two main types: maintenance lubricated (steel to steel) radial joint bearings and maintenance free self-lubricating radial joint bearings.

Radial spherical plain bearing

(1) GE-E single sided outer ring without lubricating oil groove. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(2) GE-ES single seam outer ring with lubricating oil groove. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(3) GE-ES-2RS single seam outer ring with lubricating oil groove and sealing rings on both sides. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(4) GEEW-ES-2RS single seam outer ring with lubricating oil groove and sealing rings on both sides. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(5) GE-ESN type

Single seam outer ring with lubricating oil groove, and outer ring with stop groove. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction. But when the axial load is borne by the stop ring, its ability to withstand axial load decreases.

(6) GE-XSN type

Double seam outer ring (split outer ring) with lubricating oil groove and stop groove on the outer ring. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction. But when the axial load is borne by the stop ring, its ability to withstand axial load decreases.

(7) The GE-HS type

inner ring has a lubricating oil groove and a double half outer ring, and the clearance can be adjusted after wear. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(8) GE-DE1 type

The inner ring is made of hardened bearing steel, and the outer ring is made of bearing steel. During the assembly of the inner ring, it is extruded into shape with lubricating oil grooves and holes. Bearings with an inner diameter less than 15mm have no lubricating oil grooves or holes. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(9) GE-DEM1 type

The inner ring is made of hardened bearing steel, and the outer ring is made of bearing steel. During the assembly of the inner ring, it is extruded into shape. After the bearing is installed in the bearing seat, the end groove is pressed out on the outer ring to fix the bearing axially. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction.

(10) GE-DS type

The outer ring has assembly grooves and lubrication grooves. Limited to large-sized bearings. Capable of withstanding radial loads and smaller axial loads in any direction (one side of the assembly groove cannot withstand axial loads).

The sliding surface of the basic maintenance free lubrication type (steel to steel) radial joint bearing is quenched, phosphated, and coated with molybdenum disulfide, which has the characteristics of high hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Under normal circumstances, this type of bearing requires periodic maintenance. Due to the high strength of the sliding surface, this type of bearing is particularly suitable for bearing alternating heavy loads, impact loads, and static heavy loads.

Maintenance free self-lubricating radial spherical plain bearing sliding friction pairs mainly include: steel to PTFE composites, steel to PTFE braids and steel to copper alloys. The dynamic load bearing capacity of steel to PTFE woven fabric self-lubricating radial joint bearings is higher than that of steel to PTFE composite self-lubricating radial joint bearings. This type of bearing has a lower friction coefficient and does not require maintenance during operation. It is mainly used in mechanical mechanisms that require longer service life or cannot be lubricated during operation。