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Bearing materials: evolution and technical discoveries over the centuries
2026-04-10
Despite their small size, bearings are the “joints” of mechanical systems, and it is often the materials used that determine the upper limit of their performance. Throughout industrial history, each breakthrough in bearing materials has quietly contributed to a wave of technological revolution.
Back in the 19th century, when the steam engine was roaring, the advent of Papa alloy allowed the system of high-speed rotating shafts to finally gain a reliable “cushion”, which significantly increased the efficiency and service life of the steam engine. Subsequently, copper-based alloys such as lead bronze and tin bronze came onto the scene and, due to their higher load-bearing capacity, supported the development of railways and heavy engineering.
With the beginning of the 20th century, the rapid development of the automotive industry gave rise to a new generation of lightweight and high-strength materials - aluminum-based alloys. Not only are they light in weight and have high thermal conductivity, but they are also able to withstand the harsh operating conditions inside the engine, which has quickly become the go-to material for bearings.
What really changed the game was the implementation of the concept of “maintenanceless”. Powder metallurgy technology allows bearings to have their own lubricating pores and operate for a long time without external oil supply. It is widely used in areas such as home appliances, engines and vehicle auxiliary systems.
