Bushings are small components designed to separate tangential parts in an assembly to mitigate the risk of vibration, friction, and other potential wear hazards. They dampen the energy that can transfer across components, which both protects the assembly components and can increase the comfort or capabilities of the equipment fitted with bushings. Also called anti-vibration mountings or sleeve bearings, bushings come in a wide range of shapes and styles to best fit the needs of different assemblies.
Self-lubricating bushings are bushings specifically designed to eliminate the need for manual lubrication. Bushings can be impregnated with lubricants within the layer of the bushing that makes contact with other parts. Self-lube bushings either use fluid lubricants — such as oil or grease — or solid materials — such as lead or graphite. The construction, lubricant type, and bushing materials will vary based on the operating temperature, the weight of the assembly, and other specifics.