GBC spherical plain bearings provide self-aligning sliding contact between a hardened inner ring and a conforming outer race, accommodating angular misalignment between shaft and housing that would otherwise generate destructive edge loads in a conventional rolling-element bearing. The inner ring's convex spherical outer surface slides against the outer ring's concave inner bore — allowing tilting, oscillation, and pivot motion in a compact envelope without the need for a separate universal joint or self-aligning housing.
Two fundamental maintenance philosophies are available: maintenance-required bearings (GE..ES, GEG..ES, PB series) with lubrication grooves and optional lip seals, and maintenance-free bearings (GE..C, GEG..C, GE..ET 2RS) with PTFE composite or PTFE fabric liners that eliminate the need for periodic re-lubrication. Select based on accessibility for maintenance, contamination level, and whether grease is prohibited by the application environment. Contact our team to confirm the correct series for your duty cycle.
Maintenance-Required Spherical Plain Bearings
Re-lubrication RequiredThe maintenance-required series uses a steel-on-steel hardened sliding contact with lubrication grooves and oil holes (ES designation) distributed throughout both the inner and outer rings to ensure even grease coverage under re-lubrication. Lip seals on both sides (2RS designation) retain grease and exclude contamination. The GE standard series covers bore diameters from 6 mm to 160 mm; the GEG heavy-duty series provides larger outer diameters, higher load ratings, and greater misalignment angles for the same bore. The GE..ES / 2RS series is the most widely specified starting point.
GE..E(S) / GE..ES 2RS
Standard type. 23 bore sizes, 6–160 mm. ES lubrication grooves and holes. 2RS lip seals optional.
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GEG..E(S) / GEG..ES 2RS
Heavy-duty type. 20 bore sizes, 6–120 mm. Larger OD, higher load ratings, wider misalignment angle than GE series.
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PB Series
Bronze-lined. 13 bore sizes, 5–30 mm. Steel/bronze sliding contact. Self-aligning for low-speed heavy-load pivot joints.
View SeriesMaintenance-Free Spherical Plain Bearings
No Re-lubricationMaintenance-free spherical plain bearings use PTFE composite or PTFE fabric liners bonded to the outer race spherical bore. The chromium-plated inner ring runs against the liner without external lubrication. Three configurations are available: GE..C (compact pressed construction, PTFE composite), GEG..C (heavy-duty pressed, PTFE composite, larger OD and higher misalignment angle), and GE..ET 2RS (PTFE fabric liner with lip seals on both sides for contaminated or outdoor environments). These bearings are specified wherever grease is prohibited — food processing, pharmaceutical, medical device, and clean-room applications — or where re-lubrication access is not feasible after assembly.
GE..C Series
PTFE composite liner. 9 bore sizes, 6–30 mm. Compact pressed construction. No seals — suits clean environments.
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GEG..C Series
Heavy-duty PTFE composite. 9 bore sizes, 6–30 mm. Larger OD and higher load ratings than GE..C for same bore.
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GE..ET 2RS Series
PTFE fabric liner, sealed both sides. 16 bore sizes, 15–120 mm. Higher load than GE..C. Suitable for contaminated and outdoor environments.
View Series| GBC Designation | SKF | FAG / Schaeffler | ELGES | IKO | NTN | NMB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE..E(S) | GE..E | GE..E | GE..DO | GE..E | SA1~..B | SBH..NS |
| GE..ES 2RS | GE..ES | GE..ES | GE..DO 2RS | GE..ES 2FRS | SA1~..BSS | SBH..S |
| GEG..E(S) | GEH..E | GEH..E | GE..FO | GEG..E | GE..G | — |
| GEG..ES 2RS | GEH..ES | GEH..ES | GE..FO 2RS | GEG..ES 2RS | — | — |
| GE..C | GE..C | GE..C | GE..UK | GE..C | SAR1~... | — |
| GE..ET 2RS | GE..TE 2TS | GE..UA 2RS | GE..UK 2RS | GE..ET 2RS | — | — |
| PB | — | — | GE..PB | GEBK..S | PB.. | — |
Self-Aligning Spherical Contact
Convex inner ring spherical surface slides against conforming outer bore, accommodating angular misalignment up to 21° (GEG series) between shaft and housing axes without generating edge loads.
100Cr6 Chrome Steel
Inner and outer rings manufactured from GCr15 / 100Cr6 chrome-bearing steel, through-hardened to HRC 58–64. Spherical contact surfaces ground and lapped to Ra 0.1–0.2 µm for smooth, consistent sliding motion.
Phosphate Surface Treatment
Both rings phosphate-treated prior to assembly to improve initial corrosion resistance and grease adhesion at the sliding contact surface — critical for extended service life between re-lubrication cycles.
PTFE Liner Maintenance-Free Options
PTFE composite (GE..C / GEG..C) and PTFE fabric (GE..ET 2RS) liners provide dry-running lubrication at the spherical contact — eliminating grease re-lubrication for the rated service life.
2RS Lip Seals
Outer ring lip seals on both sides retain grease and exclude contamination in ES 2RS maintenance-required variants. GE..ET 2RS adds seals to the maintenance-free fabric liner for wet and outdoor environments.
ISO Standard Interchangeable
All GBC spherical plain bearing dimensions conform to ISO standards. Direct dimensional replacement for SKF, FAG, IKO, and NTN equivalent series without housing or shaft modification.
| Requirement | Recommended Series | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Standard load, ISO housing, grease lubrication | GE..ES / GE..ES 2RS | Widest bore range (6–160 mm), direct ISO/JIS interchangeability |
| Higher load or larger misalignment than GE allows | GEG..ES / GEG..ES 2RS | Larger OD and raceway width give higher C and Co and wider rated angle |
| Contaminated or wet environment, still lubricated | GE..ES 2RS / GEG..ES 2RS | Lip seals on both sides retain grease and exclude contamination |
| No lubrication access after assembly | GE..C / GEG..C | PTFE composite liner, maintenance-free for rated service life |
| Food / pharma — grease prohibited | GE..C / GEG..C | Zero grease contamination risk, washable with alkaline sanitisers |
| No lubrication + contaminated or outdoor | GE..ET 2RS | PTFE fabric liner with sealed-both-sides contamination exclusion |
| Higher load, maintenance-free, sealed | GE..ET 2RS | PTFE fabric has higher load capacity than PTFE composite (GE..C) per bore |
| Low-speed heavy-load pivot, shock loads | PB Series | Bronze liner absorbs shock and provides self-aligning pivot without complex housing |
| Continuous rotation under misalignment | GE..ES / GEG..ES | PTFE-lined bearings are for oscillating motion only — do not use for continuous rotation |
Hydraulic Cylinders
Clevis-pin joints at cylinder rod and barrel ends. GE..ES accommodates the changing angular alignment as the cylinder extends. High static load capacity handles shock forces during piston reversal.
Agricultural Machinery
Plough and cultivator linkage pivots, baler knotter drives, and combine harvester header joints. GEG..ES and PB series provide the shock tolerance and dirt resistance required in field conditions.
Construction Equipment
Excavator boom hinge pins, bucket linkage pivots, and outrigger pad joints. Large-bore GEG..ES bearings provide the high static load capacity and misalignment accommodation for these high-stress pivot points.
Food Processing
Filling nozzle pivot joints, conveyor side-guide hinges, and portioning mechanism links. GE..C and GEG..C maintenance-free bearings operate without grease — no contamination risk to the product stream.
Medical & Pharmaceutical Equipment
Surgical table adjustment mechanisms, diagnostic instrument tilting joints, and infusion pump linkages. GE..C PTFE-lined bearings provide consistent clean dry motion without lubrication maintenance access.
Renewable Energy
Wind turbine blade pitch pivot bearings and solar tracker horizontal axis joints. GE..ET 2RS sealed maintenance-free bearings provide long service intervals in remote outdoor installations.
Ready to Specify Your Spherical Plain Bearing?
MOQ is 100 units per model. Provide bore diameter, radial and axial loads, misalignment angle, oscillation frequency and amplitude, operating temperature, and environment. Our team will confirm the correct series, seal configuration, and lubrication specification before order confirmation.