WOODEX Oil-

impregnated Wood
Bearings: Design
& Engineering
Information


Choose a topic or scroll down for all information.

Physical Properties
Speed vs. Load - P/V Factor
Material Max P/V
Wall Thickness
Shaft Diameter & Recommended Wall Thickness
Installed Bearing Clearances
Press Fits
Close-In
Grain Direction
Lubrication
Installation
Application Information

Physical Properties
Lubricant content by weight 41-47%
Tensile Strength 1150 psi
Compression permanent deformation (psi, for .005" set) 7500
Specific Gravity 1.3
Coefficient of thermal expansion per F 4.3 x 10^-6
Temperature range -50 - 160F
Coefficient of friction .07 to .115
Weight per cubic inch, lbs. .039
Wear rate factor <0.1 x 10^-10
Max P/V Factor 12,000 PIA-SFM
Max P 2,000 PIA
Max V 2,000 SFM



Speed vs. Load - P/V Factor
All bearings have a P/V rating (Pressure/Velocity) based on empirical
testing. The rating is a mathematical expression of Pressure (PIA = pounds
per inch of projected area) times Velocity (SFM = surface feet per minute).
The expressed P/V value of a material is the maximum load-speed that a
bearing can withstand. This value is further refined by the maximum PIA
and SFM that the material can withstand regardless of the total P/V value.
The recommended P/V factor for WOODEX is 12,000, with a maximum
PIA and SFM of 2,000 each.

As a comparison, the following are operating characteristics of a variety of
bearing materials:
Material Max P/V Max P Max V
Inj. Molded Nylon 101 3,000 380 475
Delrin 3,000 1,000 100
UHMW-PE 4,000 1,200 50
WOODEX 12,000 2,000 2,000
Babbitt (10% tin) 18,000 1,300 1,400
Oilite Bronze 50,000 2,000 1,200
Cast Bronze SAE 660 75,000 3,000 750

WOODEX is unusual in that it has the capability to handle both high
speeds and loads, a quality that enhances its flexibility. As an example, in a
dry, ambient condition a 2" long WOODEX bearing supporting a 1" shaft
can support a shaft load of up to 1,800 pounds, while the shaft is rotating
at 50 rpm. Conversely, the bearing can tolerate a shaft RPM of up to 1,800,
while the shaft load is 50 pounds.

To calculate the P/V for any given application, use the following formulas:





PIA and SFM must each equal 2,000 or less. Multiply PIA times SFM: the
product (P/V) must be 12,000 or less. If true for all three values, WOODEX
may be right for your application.

NOTE: Add appropriate safety factors to both load and speed before
calculating.)


Wall Thickness
It is important that the wall thickness of the bearing meet minimum
standards. Proper wall thickness will guarantee a sufficient supply of
lubricant to last the life of the bearing. Shaft size can rarely be reduced, but
housing size may be increased to satisfy this requirement.
Shaft Diameter Recommended Wall Thickness*
up to 1/2" 1/16" to 1/8"
1/2" to 1" 1/8" to 3/16"
1" to 1 1/2" 3/16" to 5/16"
1 1/2" to 2" 5/16" to 3/8"
2" to 2 1/2" 3/8" to 1/2"
2 1/2" to 4" 1/2" to 5/8"

* Thinner bearing wall may produce reasonable service life under certain
conditions.


Clearances
An oil-lubricated bearing must have sufficient clearance to allow the
lubricant to penetrate and form a lubricating film. Insufficient clearance
will inhibit this lubricating film and excessive clearance will allow
excessive movement between parts. Either condition will result in
premature bearing failure. The inside diameters of all WOODEX bearings
are machined oversize to provide the required clearance. Designs that
require tighter tolerances can be met by supplying bearings without built-
in clearance and calling for reaming at installation. Reaming will not
restruct the self-metering lubrication qualities of the bearing.


Installed Bearing
Clearances

Shaft Diameter Operating Condition Roll-end Operating
Condition
Dry Wet Dry Wet
up to 1/2" .002"-.010" .020"-.028" .015"-.024" .030"-.035"
1/2" to 1" .004"-.016" .024"-.032" .024"-.028" .035"-.042"
1" to 1 1/2" .007"-.019" .038"-.046" .024"-.030" .038"-.050"
1 1/2" to 3" .010"-.025" .045"-.060"
3" & up .015"-.031" .050"-.066"



Press Fits
A WOODEX bearing remains stationary in its housing because it has been
furnished with an oversized outside diameter to ensure firm retention.
Sleeve, flange and roll-end bearings are all machined to include this press
fit. Oil impregnated maple bearings have greater press fit dimensions than
metal, since they are much more compressible.


Close-In
The compressibility of oil-impregnated rock maple means that
approximately 70% of the press fit on a WOODEX bearing will be reflected
in close-in of the inside diameter. WOODEX bearings are normally
furnished with an oversized inside diameter. This provides a correct
running clearance once the bearing has been pressed in place and the
close-in effected.
Press Fit - Close-In
Nominal O.D. Press Fits Close-In Factor
up to 1/2" .003"-.006" .003"
1/2" to 1 1/2" .004"-.008" .004"
1 1/2" to 3" .005"-.010" .005"
3" & up .006"-.012" .006"



Grain Direction
In a lubricated bearing, the oil must be delivered to the load carrying area
of the interface. In order to do this, a wood bearing must have its bore at
right angles to the grain of the wood. Aligned in this cross-grain fashion,
the cell structure meters the lubricant to the interface.


Lubrication
WOODEX bearings self-lubricate in three modes:
boundary lubrication
full film (hydrodynamic) lubrication
mixed film lubrication
These modes indicate the effectiveness of bearing lubrication in reducing
friction.
Under full-film lubrication, the shaft is completely separated from contact
with the bearing by a thick film of lubricant. Without shaft to bearing
contact, bearing service life is nearly infinite. This condition is rarely - if
ever - achieved with a wood plane bearing.
Boundary lubrication permits bearing-shaft contact in the presence of an
extremely thin lubricating film. Bearing wear is proportional to load and
speed.
Mixed film lubrication combines both other modes. Pools of self-
pressurized lubricant accept part of the load while very thin films take the
rest.
WOODEX bearings are charged with a lifetime lubricant supply. Outside
lubricants should not be used, as they will impair the natural action of the
WOODEX lubricant.


Installation
An arbor press should be used to press a WOODEX bearing into place. A
slight chamfer is furnished on one end of the bearing as an aid in starting
the fit into the housing. The inside of the housing also should be slightly
rounded or relieved to make sure there is no burr on the edge of the
housing to cut the bearing as it is pressed into place.


Application Information
When inquiring about custom WOODEX bearings, please be sure to
include the following information:
Nominal Housing Dimensions
Bearing Length
Shaft diameter
Shaft Speed
Shaft Load
Temperature, and
Operating Condition (wet, dry or partially-wetted)