ISO 20054:2022

Overview

ISO 20054:2022 - "Plain bearings - Bearings containing dispersed solid lubricants" - defines the characteristics, materials, dimensions, assembly and surface finish for bearings containing dispersed solid lubricants. This second edition (2022) updates the 2016 version and covers sintered composite, self‑lubricating bearings manufactured by powder metallurgy, including single‑layer and multi‑layer types (seamless and wrapped bushes, and sintered layers on steel backing).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Structure and manufacturing
  • Bearings are made from a metal matrix with uniformly dispersed solid lubricant particles (microstructure, grain size and volume are specified).
  • Manufacturing method: sintered composite via powder metallurgy; multi‑layer constructions with steel backing are included.
• Lubricating mechanism
  • Self‑lubrication is achieved as solid lubricant is drawn to mating surfaces to form and replenish a solid lubricant film - suited for extra low speed and micro‑motion applications.
• Materials
  • Metal matrix families: copper, nickel, iron based alloys with typical operating temperature ranges.
  • Solid lubricants: graphite, MoS2, WS2, BN, PTFE - selection depends on temperature and environment (air, water, vacuum).
• Dimensions and tolerancing
  • Preferred nominal sizes for seamless bushes, guidance on wrapped bushes, and commentary on fit (interference) and clearance. Optimal tolerances require supplier–user agreement.
• Assembly and surface finish
  • Requirements for proper assembly and surface roughness to ensure reliable sliding performance.
• Guidance annexes
  • Annex A: selection guidance for metal matrix.
  • Annex B: examples of actual applications.

Practical applications

ISO 20054 bearings are intended for:

• Rotational, reciprocating, oscillating and frequent start/stop motions
• Low‑speed, high‑load applications where fluid lubrication is impractical
• Environments including high/low temperature, liquids, gases and vacuum
• Industries: aerospace, vacuum equipment, robotics, medical devices, industrial machinery, automotive subsystems and others requiring maintenance‑free or low‑lubrication bearings

Who should use this standard

• Bearing manufacturers and material suppliers designing sintered, self‑lubricating bushes
• Mechanical design engineers and OEMs specifying plain bearings for low‑speed/high‑load systems
• Procurement, testing and quality assurance teams validating bearing selection, dimensions and surface finish

Related information

• ISO 20054:2022 contains no normative references and was prepared by ISO/TC 123 (Plain bearings), SC 7. Annexes provide practical selection and application examples to support implementation.