What is the difference between a bushing, a journal bearing, and a sleeve bearing?
These terms are closely related and often used interchangeably. A bushing is a cylindrical lining that fits between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing to reduce friction and wear. A journal bearing is a type of plain bearing where the rotating shaft (the “journal”) is directly supported by the bearing surface. A sleeve bearing is simply a cylindrical bushing in sleeve form. At Kamatics, our self-lubricating bushings and journal bearings use KARON™ liner technology to eliminate the need for external lubrication in all configurations.
What makes KARON™ self-lubricating bushings different?
KARON™ self-lubricating bushings provide maintenance-free, oil-free operation with a proprietary liner that has no moisture path to the bonding substrate. Because KARON™ is homogeneous rather than fabric-based, it delivers uniform wear and friction performance over the full service life. The result is longer service life, lower total cost of ownership, and exceptional corrosion resistance in moisture-laden environments. Download our KAron Design Guide for detailed performance data.
What industries use Kamatics bushings and journal bearings?
Kamatics self-lubricating bushings serve aerospace (commercial fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft), defense, marine, hydropower, oil and gas, motorsport, and general industrial markets. Our bearings are proven in landing gear systems, helicopter rotor assemblies, turbine engines, submarine linkages, hydropower turbines, and other mission-critical applications where maintenance-free performance is required.
What temperature range do KARON™ bushings operate in?
KARON™ bushings are available in multiple formulations covering a wide operating range, from cryogenic conditions for space applications to elevated temperatures for engine environments with our KAtherm formulations. Download our KAron and KAtherm data sheets for temperature specifications by product series, or contact our engineering team to select the right formulation for your application.
What materials can KARON™ liner be applied to?
KARON™ can be applied to a wide range of substrate materials including stainless and carbon steels, aluminum, titanium, bronze, Inconel, and fiberglass. The liner is self-adhering, so secondary bonding is not required. KARON™ is also compatible with Skydrol hydraulic fluid, aircraft fuel, and other aggressive chemicals. This versatility allows our engineers to design application-specific bushings optimized for your exact operating conditions.
Can Kamatics provide custom bushing and journal bearing designs?
Yes. Kamatics provides engineering support with every application. Our team designs application-specific bearings with modified geometries and optimized KARON™ liner formulations. Whether you need a standard catalog solution or a fully custom engineered bearing for a unique operating environment, our engineers can help. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Where are Kamatics bushings manufactured?
All Kamatics products are designed and manufactured at our headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA. Our facility holds AS9100D, EASA, and NADCAP certifications. Domestic manufacturing ensures supply chain reliability and direct access to our engineering team for application-specific support.
