Frequently Asked Questions
If the answer to your question is not listed below,
please feel free to give us a call directly on
+44 (0)1235 462500
or email us at
sales@bowman.co.uk.
What is a BowMet® plain bearing?
A BowMet® plain bearing is a heavy-duty plain bearing manufactured from ToughMet® spinodal bronze, an advanced copper alloy developed for applications requiring exceptional load capacity, wear resistance, and corrosion protection. BowMet® bearings are engineered for severe-duty environments where conventional bronze, steel-backed, or composite bearings may not provide sufficient performance or service life.
How does BowMet® compare to WMU®, WMUB®, WMX® and WMB® bearings?
Each Bowman bearing range is designed for different operating conditions. BowMet® offers the highest load capacity and is intended for extreme-duty applications. WMU® features a steel-backed PTFE lining for dry-running, low-friction operation, while WMUB® provides similar PTFE performance with a bronze backing for improved corrosion resistance. WMX® uses an acetal (POM) lining for grease-lubricated rotary and oscillating applications, and WMB® is manufactured from CuSn8 phosphor bronze for cost-effective, slow-speed, high-load applications.
What surface styles are available on BowMet® plain bearings?
BowMet® plain bearings are available with smooth bores, through-holes, and diamond lubrication pockets as standard. Bowman can also manufacture bearings with custom lubrication grooves, oil holes, reliefs, and other application-specific features to meet individual operating requirements.
What sizes of BowMet® plain bearings are available?
BowMet® plain bearings are available in a comprehensive range of standard sizes for industrial applications. Where standard dimensions are not suitable, Bowman offers bespoke manufacturing to produce bearings that meet your exact dimensional and performance specifications.
Can I order custom BowMet® sizes with grooves or oil holes?
Yes. Bowman's in-house machining capabilities allow BowMet® plain bearings to be manufactured in custom sizes with specialised features including lubrication grooves, oil holes, through-holes, diamond pockets, and other bespoke machining details. Our engineering team can produce bearings from customer drawings or develop a solution based on your application requirements.
