KEVOS® MAKEOS · Engineering
Plain Bearing Pressure, Velocity and PV
Are the pressure, sliding speed and PV of this bushing within the material’s limits?
Projected bearing pressure, sliding velocity and PV value of a plain (sleeve) bearing or bushing, compared with the limits of the bearing material.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Radial load | N | Radial load on the bearing. |
| Shaft diameter | mm | Shaft (journal) diameter. |
| Bearing length | mm | Bearing length in contact. |
| Speed (or equivalent for oscillation) | rpm | Shaft speed; for oscillation use the equivalent speed from the bearing maker’s method. |
| Maximum pressure of material | MPa | Static or dynamic pressure limit from the bearing material maker. |
| Maximum sliding speed of material | m/s | Sliding speed limit from the maker (lubricated or dry as applicable). |
| Maximum PV of material | MPa·m/s | PV limit from the maker for the lubrication condition. |
Method and formulas
- P = W ÷ (d L) (projected area).
- V = π d n ÷ 60 000.
- PV = P × V; compare each with the material limits.
- Example: 2000 N on a 30 × 30 mm bush at 200 rpm gives P = 2.2222 MPa, V = 0.31416 m/s and PV = 0.69813.
Limitations
- PV limits depend on lubrication, temperature and duty; they are screening values, not a hydrodynamic design.
- Fully hydrodynamic journal bearings need a film thickness (Sommerfeld) analysis.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Select a bronze, polymer or sintered bush
- Check a pivot or slow shaft bearing
- Compare bush lengths
Who it is for
- Design engineers
- Maintenance engineers
What you get
- Projected pressure
- Sliding velocity
- PV value
- Utilisation of each limit
Interpreting the result
- A length-to-diameter ratio of about 0.5 to 1.5 is common for bushes.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 2314–2337. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
WORKOS tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.
