Oilite® Bars for Machining

As a trusted oilite bar stock supplier, Bowman provides a comprehensive range of Oilite® solid and cored bars for customers requiring high-quality bearing material for machining. Manufactured from oil-impregnated sintered bronze, Oilite® bar stock combines excellent wear resistance with self-lubricating properties, making it an ideal choice for producing custom bearings and bushings for demanding industrial applications.

Oilite® bar stock is produced using a sintering process that creates a porous bronze structure capable of retaining lubricating oil throughout the material. During operation, the oil is released gradually to the bearing surface, reducing friction and wear while eliminating the need for regular external lubrication. Bowman supplies premium oilite bronze bars, sintered bronze bar stock, oil impregnated bar stock, and self-lubricating bar stock to support a wide variety of engineering and manufacturing requirements.

Machine shops and OEM manufacturers frequently choose oilite bars when standard bearing sizes are unsuitable or when bespoke components are required. The material can be machined into custom internal diameters, outside diameters, lengths, and specialised profiles, allowing engineers to produce non-standard bearing solutions quickly and efficiently. Oilite® material is commonly used to manufacture custom bushings, sleeve bearings, flanged bearings, and other precision components where reliable, maintenance-free performance is essential.

Typical applications include bespoke OEM bushings, equipment refurbishment, replacement parts for legacy machinery, prototype development, low-volume production runs, and specialist engineering projects. As high-quality oilite material for bushings, these bars provide excellent dimensional stability and long service life across a wide range of industrial sectors.

Bowman stocks both solid and cored oilite bronze bars in a variety of standard diameters and lengths, enabling rapid supply for machining requirements. Where standard sizes are not suitable, our in-house machining service can manufacture finished components or produce non-standard dimensions and tolerances to meet exact customer specifications.

To maintain the self-lubricating properties of the material, appropriate machining practices should be followed to minimise excessive heat generation and preserve the oil impregnation within the porous bronze structure. Our engineering team can provide guidance on machining recommendations and help select the most suitable material for your application.

As an experienced oilite bar stock supplier, Bowman combines extensive stock availability, precision engineering expertise, and custom machining capabilities to deliver premium-quality oilite blanks and bearing materials for customers worldwide.