Overview
ISO 4382-1:2021 - "Plain bearings - Copper alloys - Part 1: Cast copper alloys for solid and multilayer thick-walled plain bearings" specifies requirements for a limited selection of cast copper alloys used in thick-walled solid and multilayer plain bearings. The standard covers chemical composition limits, mandatory and optional material tests, physical properties (hardness, tensile strength, thermal and mechanical data) and designation/ordering conventions for different casting methods.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Alloy selection: Lists commonly used bearing alloys such as CuPb9Sn5, CuPb10Sn10, CuPb15Sn8, CuPb20Sn5, CuAl10Fe5Ni5 and several Cu–Sn–Pb–Zn variants. Chemical composition limits are given in Tables 1 and 2.
- Casting types and designation: Defines casting types - GS (sand), GM (permanent mould), GZ (centrifugal), GC (continuous) - and shows how to designate materials (example: Bearing metal ISO 4382 – GC – CuPb10Sn10 – RA).
- Mandatory hardness testing: Brinell hardness (HBW) is the primary mandatory quality control check (see ISO 4384‑1 and ISO 4384‑2 for test methods). Hardness values for test bars are tabulated by alloy and casting method.
- Mechanical properties: Minimum tensile strength, elongation and 0.2% proof stress values are provided to assist designers; tensile testing follows ISO 6892‑1 when requested.
- Test specimens and methods: Specifies test bar preparation (diameter ranges for cast and machined bars) and allows supplier/purchaser agreement when standard specimen sizes are impractical.
- Health and regulatory note: Warns about lead (Pb) toxicity and indicates purchasers/suppliers should agree on any additional element limits or exclusions.
Practical applications
- Designed for manufacturers, specifiers and designers of heavy-duty plain bearings used in engines, gearboxes, industrial machinery, marine equipment and other applications where thick-walled solid or multilayer plain bearings are required.
- Guidance in Annex A helps match bearing alloy to shaft hardness and operating conditions (load, sliding velocity, lubrication). Typical shaft hardness recommendations are included (for example, 250–300 HBW or ~55 HRC for some high-load alloys).
- Useful for quality engineers and procurement specifying acceptance tests (H = hardness, R = tensile strength, RA = tensile + elongation) and confirming material conformity.
Who should use this standard
- Bearing designers and mechanical engineers
- Bearing manufacturers and foundries (sand, permanent mould, centrifugal, continuous casting)
- Procurement and QA professionals specifying material acceptance criteria
- Tribology specialists selecting bearing material for specific operating and lubrication conditions
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 4382-1:2021, plain bearings, cast copper alloys, thick-walled plain bearings, Brinell hardness, tensile strength, bearing alloys, casting types.
Open preview (PDF)Plain bearings — Copper alloys — Part 1: Cast copper alloys for solid and multilayer thick-walled plain bearings