Bushing Thermal Expansion

Beef Supreme · Nov 16, 2023

Hi,

I am trying to determine the how much a bushing will expand from heat. The heat will be generated by the journal and lubricant. If the bushing is prevented from expanding outward radially due to being placed in a large, rigid body whose temperature remains constant, will it begin to constrict/grow inward and act like a drum brake? Or, will its stress just continue to rise until buckling occurs?

TugboatEng · Nov 16, 2023

Yes, the bushing will reduce in ID and create resistance on the shaft. The clearance must be large enough to accommodate this. The clearance also must be large enough to accommodate swelling due to water or lubricant absorption.

Use the coefficient of thermal expansion to calculate the change in volume of the bushing. Assume no change in OD or length. All of the increased volume will result in ID reduction.

dvd · Nov 16, 2023

If the large, rigid body has constant temperature then the bushing o.d. will have that temperature also - probably not going to be the case, though. Is the bushing a fabricated piece, or is it purchased? Bushing manufacturers publish guidelines on installation bore and shaft diameters.

TugboatEng · Nov 17, 2023

A metallic bushing with high thermal conductivity will operate at a very similar temperature to the housing. A plastic bushing with low thermal conductivity is going to have a much higher temperature gradient across the bushing. Assuming it's all hot is a safe design consideration. If a smaller clearance is required then a thinner walled bushing should be considered.

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Bushing Thermal Expansion

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