Thrust spherical plain bearings have a convex spherical surface on the shaft washer and a corresponding concave spherical surface in the housing washer. These bearings are intended to accommodate axial loads primarily, but can also accommodate combined (radial and axial) loads. The radial load component of a combined load should not exceed 50% of the axial load component. When radial loads are larger, thrust bearings should be combined with radial bearings in the GE dimension series.
Thrust spherical plain bearings can be separated, enabling shaft and housing washers to be mounted separately.
SKF manufactures maintenance-free thrust spherical plain bearings with a steel/PTFE FRP sliding contact surface combination in the GX series as standard. Other designs and series are available on request.
