Sintered Advantage
Products LLC
Material Specification

SAE 841 Sintered Bronze

Oil-Impregnated Self-Lubricating Bearing Alloy
Document: SAP-841-MS-01
Revision: A
Region: North America
Quiet. Disciplined. Unshakeable.
Built for pressure. Engineered for consistency. Sintered in Pennsylvania. Trusted nationwide.

Material overview

SAE 841 is an oil-impregnated sintered bronze bearing alloy engineered for long-life, self-lubricating operation where conventional lubrication is difficult or impossible to maintain. Its interconnected porosity is filled with oil, providing continuous lubrication to the mating shaft during service and enabling reliable performance in a wide range of industrial applications.

Chemical composition

ElementNominal range (wt%)
Copper (Cu)87.5 – 90.5
Tin (Sn)9.5 – 10.5
Iron (Fe)≈ 1.0 (typ.)
Others / ResidualsBalance
Impregnated oil≈ 19% by volume

Actual chemistry may vary within specification limits by supplier and application.

Physical & mechanical properties

PropertyTypical valueUnit
Density6.4 – 6.8g/cm³
Oil content≈ 19%
Ultimate tensile strength≈ 14,000psi
Yield strength≈ 11,000psi
Elongation≈ 1%
Operating temperature (typ.)-40 to +250°F
Typical PV limit≈ 50,000psi·ft/min

Values are typical and not intended as guaranteed minimums. Final design should be validated in service.

Tribological behavior & applications

  • Self-lubricating operation via oil stored in interconnected pores of the bronze matrix.
  • Good wear resistance and long service life in oscillating and rotating bearing duties.
  • Stable performance where re-lubrication is difficult or access is limited.
  • Typical uses: bushings, sleeve bearings, flanged bearings, thrust washers, small motion components.
  • Common sectors: industrial machinery, automotive, agriculture, appliances, office equipment, power transmission.

Industry equivalents & references

StandardDesignation
SAESAE 841
AMSAMS 4805 (sintered bronze / oil-impregnated)
MPIFComparable to standard sintered bronze bearing grades
Typical formBushings, bars, hollow bar, custom shapes

Equivalency depends on specific producer, process window, and impregnation practice.

Engineering considerations