Bearings are machine elements which are used to support a rotating member viz., a shaft. They transmit the load from a rotating member to a stationary member known as frame or housing. They permit relative motion of two members in one or two directions with minimum friction, and also prevent the motion in the direction of the applied load.

The bearings are classified broadly into two categories based on the type of contact they have between the rotating and the stationary member

a. Slidingcontact

b. Rollingcontact

The sliding contact bearings having surface contact and are coming under lower kinematic pair.

SLIDING CONTACT BEARINGS – ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

These bearings have certain advantages over the rolling contact bearings. They are:

1. The design of the bearing and housing is simple.

2. They occupy less radial space and are more compact.

3. They cost less.

4. The design of shaft is simple.

5. They operate more silently.

6. They have good shock load capacity.

7. They are ideally suited for medium and high speed operation.

The disadvantages are:

1. The frictional power loss is more.

2. They required good attention to lubrication.

3. They are normally designed to carry radial load or axial load only.