OILITE® BEARINGS, A MARKET LEADER FOR OVER 90 YEARS
Oilite® Bearings are premium sintered bronze bearings designed to provide reliable, self-lubricating performance across a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured using a porous bronze structure that retains lubricating oil, these oil impregnated bearings deliver continuous lubrication throughout their service life, making them an excellent choice for applications requiring long-lasting, dependable operation.
Originally developed by Chrysler in the 1930s, genuine Oilite sintered bronze bearings have been used in some of the world’s most demanding engineering applications, including the Supermarine Spitfire and Formula 1 racing cars. Their proven reliability, low friction, and excellent wear resistance have made them an industry benchmark for self-lubricating bearing technology.
As one of the leading Oilite bearing suppliers in the UK and Europe, Bowman International offers an extensive range of genuine Oilite® products, including standard bushes, oilite flanged bearings, and bespoke bearing solutions. These maintenance free bearings are engineered to perform under high loads, elevated temperatures, and demanding operating conditions while minimizing downtime and lubrication requirements.
Recognized among trusted Oilite bearing suppliers, Bowman provides genuine Oilite sintered bronze bearings in a wide variety of sizes and materials to suit diverse engineering applications. Whether you require standard bushes, oilite flanged bearings, or custom components, Bowman’s technical expertise ensures the right solution for your application.
As experienced Oilite bearing suppliers, Bowman supports customers across industries including automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, pumps, electric motors, and manufacturing. These oil impregnated bearings offer long service life, reduced maintenance, and reliable performance, making them one of the most widely used maintenance free bearings for precision engineering applications.
Discover the Oilite® Sintered Bearing Series
Select a product below to view dimensions, specifications and technical data.
Key Strengths of Oilite® Sintered Bearings
Pioneers in Sintered Bearings
Industry leaders delivering high-performance, self-lubricating solutions for diverse industrial applications.
Comprehensive Material Range
Offering high-quality materials to ensure durability, efficiency, and reliability in various environments.
Maintenance-Free Operation
Self-lubricating bearings designed for continuous performance, reducing downtime and eliminating routine maintenance.
Bespoke Bearing Solutions
Custom-engineered bearings tailored to specific applications, optimizing functionality, longevity, and operational efficiency.
Impressive Temperature Range
Designed to withstand extreme temperatures while maintaining structural integrity and consistent performance.
Pre-Lubed for Convenience
Factory-impregnated with high-quality lubricants, ensuring smooth operation, reduced wear, and extended lifespan.
Oilite® Technical Overview
Built for Reliable, Self-Lubricating Performance
Standard Oilite® bearings are impregnated with a highly refined mineral oil to ISO VG (SAE 30), featuring a high viscosity index along with anti-oxidant, anti-rust and anti-foam additives to deliver reliable self-lubricating performance across a wide range of industrial applications. Depending on operating conditions, lubricant selection can be tailored accordingly, with lower viscosity oils recommended for low temperatures, high speeds and lighter loads, while higher viscosity oils are better suited to elevated temperatures, slower speeds and heavier load applications. Oils with high viscosity index properties are ideal for environments with fluctuating temperatures, while oxidation-stable lubricants are recommended for extended operational life.
For demanding operating conditions, oils with specialised ‘oiliness’ additives can improve boundary lubrication performance, whereas lower ‘oiliness’ oils are preferable for full film hydrodynamic conditions. Extreme Pressure (E.P.) additives are also available for applications involving very heavy or shock loading. In applications involving stainless steel, hard chromium-plated or nickel-plated shafts, molybdenum disulphide additives are recommended to minimise the risk of seizure. Read More
Self-Lubricating
Engineered for Demanding Environments
Easy Installation
Long Service Life
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 on sales@bowman.co.uk.
What makes Oilite® Bearings different from other bearings?
Oilite® Bearings are oil impregnated bearings manufactured using a porous bronze structure that is permanently infused with lubricant. Unlike conventional bearings that require regular external lubrication, these maintenance free bearings continuously release oil during operation, reducing friction, minimizing wear, and extending service life. This makes genuine Oilite sintered bronze bearings an ideal solution for demanding industrial applications.
Can Oilite® Bearings be customized?
Yes. As one of the leading Oilite bearing suppliers, Bowman offers both standard and custom-engineered Oilite® bearing solutions. Customers can choose from a wide range of sizes, materials, tolerances, and configurations, including oilite flanged bearings, to meet the exact requirements of their application.
What materials are used for Oilite® Bearings?
Genuine Oilite sintered bronze bearings are primarily manufactured from high-quality porous bronze materials that are vacuum impregnated with lubricating oil. Depending on the application, Bowman also offers other sintered bronze bearings in different material grades and compositions to deliver the optimum balance of strength, wear resistance, and self-lubricating performance.
How should Oilite® Bearings be stored?
To maintain the performance of oil impregnated bearings, they should be stored in a clean, dry environment away from excessive heat, dust, moisture, and chemical contaminants. Bearings should remain in their original packaging until installation to prevent contamination and preserve the oil content. Reputable Oilite bearing suppliers also recommend avoiding unnecessary cleaning or degreasing, as this can remove the lubricant from the bearing's porous structure.
Why choose Oilite self-lubricating bearings?
Oilite® Bearings provide exceptional reliability, long service life, and reduced maintenance costs. Their self-lubricating design eliminates the need for frequent relubrication, making them highly effective maintenance free bearings for a wide range of industries. Available in multiple configurations, including oilite flanged bearings, these sintered bronze bearings are trusted for applications requiring low friction, high durability, and consistent performance under demanding operating conditions.
Looking for a custom size or special specifications?
Whether you need standard or custom options, we’re here to help. Reach out now and let’s find the perfect match!
