ISO 21433:2018

Overview

ISO 21433:2018 - Plain bearings - Handling of plain bearings provides requirements and practical guidance for the safe and reliable storage, transportation, handling, installation, operation and replacement of plain bearings and related parts. The document helps prevent premature damage, contamination and deformation of bearings during the full handling lifecycle.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard is organized around four main handling phases and includes detailed guidance and requirements:

• Storage and transportation

  • Packing methods and purposes: protect against impact, dust, moisture and rust.
  • Recommended packing materials (examples): rust-inhibitor paper, oil‑impregnated paper, polyethylene-coated paper, polyethylene sheets, foamed polystyrene/polyurethane; deoxygenating agents for oil-free packing.
  • Container types and design: cardboard, corrugated, plastic, metal - purpose-built containers or wooden boxes for large/heavy or special-shaped bearings.
  • Avoid packing materials that produce fibrous waste or paper dust that can impair bearing function.
  • Requirements for labeling, unpacking procedures, partitioning inside containers to prevent impingement, and attachment of test/quality certificates.
  • Storage environment considerations: warehouse conditions, ambient temperature, humidity control and first-in-first-out (FIFO) practices.

• Installation (fitting)

  • Installation methods covered: press-fit, screw-fixing, keyed joint, retaining-ring fixing, shrink fitting by cooling or heating.
  • Requirements for housing and mating shaft inspection, correct assembly procedures and post-installation checks.

• Operation

  • Commissioning practices: flushing/cleaning lubrication systems, running-in procedures.
  • Supervision during operation: control/check items and recordkeeping for maintenance and monitoring.

• Replacement

  • Guidance on dismounting and replacing plain bearings and associated documentation.

Applications

ISO 21433 is practical for activities that directly affect bearing life and machine reliability:

• Protecting bearings during logistics and storage
• Specifying packaging and container requirements for shipment
• Establishing installation procedures in production and assembly lines
• Commissioning and maintenance procedures for industrial equipment
• Defining supplier–customer agreements on rust inhibitors, cleaning agents and documentation

Who should use this standard

• Bearing manufacturers and suppliers
• Machine designers and assembly engineers
• Maintenance and reliability engineers
• Warehouse, logistics and quality assurance personnel
• Procurement teams specifying bearing handling requirements

Related standards

• ISO 4378-1 - Plain bearings: terms, definitions, classification and symbols (referenced normative document).

ISO 21433:2018 is a practical reference to reduce handling-related failures and to standardize safe, consistent practices for plain bearings across manufacturing, storage and field service operations.