Bushings, also known as “Plain Bearings” or "Sleeve Bearings," are designed for use in numerous applications and offer features and benefits unavailable with many rolling-element bearings. Bushings (plain bearings) are distinguished from rolling-element bearings primarily by the fact that they consist of only one part. That one part may be built up of different materials, layered and combined into a load carrying system. Depending on the application, bushings are available for operation with supplemental lubrication or to run “dry”, with no additional lubrication. Bushings are available impregnated with lubricant, with lubricant “plug” inserts, or with inherently low coefficients of friction. Bushing materials include cast or machined metals, stabilized polymers (“plastics”), fiber-wound composites, and combinations of different types of materials. Selecting the right bushing for each project requires detailed knowledge of the application requirements and experience with bushing technology. AST’s bearing experts are available to help with advice and guidance to make the selection process as easy as possible.