EN 4538-2:2014
(Main)Aerospace series - Bearings, spherical plain, in corrosion resisting steel with self-lubricating liner elevated load under low oscillations - Narrow series - Dimensions and loads - Part 2: Inch series
Aerospace series - Bearings, spherical plain, in corrosion resisting steel with self-lubricating liner elevated load under low oscillations - Narrow series - Dimensions and loads - Part 2: Inch series
This European Standard specifies the characteristics of spherical plain bearing in corrosion resistant steel, with self-lubricating liner, narrow series, elevated load under low oscillations applications.
They shall be used in the temperature range – 55 °C to 163 °C.
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Gelenklager, aus korrosionsbeständigem Stahl mit selbstschmierender Beschichtung, hohe Belastung bei geringer Drehbewegung - Schmale Reihe - Maße und Belastungen - Teil 2: Inch Reihe
Série aérospatiale - Rotules, en acier résistant à la corrosion à garniture autolubrifiante à charge élevée sous faibles oscillations - Série étroite - Dimensions et charges - Partie 2: Série en inches
La présente Norme Européenne spécifie les caractéristiques des rotules en acier résistant à la corrosion à garniture autolubrifiante à charge élevée sous faibles oscillations série étroite.
Elles doivent être utilisées dans une plage de température de – 55 °C à 163 °C.
Aeronavtika - Kroglasti drsni ležaji iz korozijsko odpornega jekla s samomazalno oblogo in z zvišano obremenitvijo pod nizkimi nihanji - Ozki tip - Mere in nosilnosti - 2. del: Colski tip
Standard EN 4538-2 določa značilnosti uporabe kroglastih drsnih ležajev ozkega tipa iz korozijsko odpornega jekla s samomazalno oblogo in z zvišano obremenitvijo pod nizkimi nihanji. Uporabljati jih je treba v temperaturnem razponu –55 °C do 163 °C.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 15-Jul-2014
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Jan-2015
- Technical Committee
- ASD-STAN - Aerospace
- Drafting Committee
- ASD-STAN/D 3 - Mechanical
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 21-Jan-2025
- Completion Date
- 21-Jan-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
EN 4538-2:2014 is a European Standard established by CEN that defines the specifications for aerospace series spherical plain bearings made from corrosion-resistant steel. These bearings feature a self-lubricating liner and are designed for narrow series applications subjected to elevated loads under low oscillation conditions. The standard covers the inch series dimensions and load capacities, making it essential for aerospace and defense industries requiring high-performance bearings capable of operating within the temperature range of -55 °C to 163 °C.
The document provides critical guidelines on the design, materials, surface treatment, and performance criteria of bearings used in aerospace components, ensuring reliability and durability even under harsh environmental and operational conditions.
Key Topics
Bearing Configuration and Dimensions
This standard specifies the dimensional requirements, tolerances, and masses of spherical plain bearings. It includes detailed size codes and acceptable deviations in bore and outer diameters measured in millimeters after surface treatment.Surface Roughness and Treatment
Guidelines for surface roughness prior to surface treatment are detailed, along with surface treatment requirements tailored to the bearing’s inner ring to guarantee optimal performance and corrosion resistance.Load Capacities and Starting Torques
EN 4538-2:2014 defines permissible static and dynamic radial loads, projected surface areas for duty cycle determination, and starting torque values for different bearing sizes. Special attention is given to bearings with or without staking grooves, impacting load engagement.Material Specifications
The inner ring is made of hardened and tempered steel (per EN 2030) with a hardness of 55 to 62 HRC, while the outer ring uses corrosion-resistant steel (per EN 3161) with a hardness of 28 to 37 HRC. The liner is comprised of self-lubricating, low-friction, wear-resistant material conforming to EN 4540 standards.Designation and Marking
Bearings are designated with a coding system indicating size, series, and liner technology (bonded or moulded/injected). Marking conforms to EN 2424 to ensure traceability and standardized identification.
Applications
EN 4538-2:2014 bearings are specifically engineered for aerospace applications where components face elevated mechanical loads with low-frequency oscillations. Their corrosion-resistant steel construction and self-lubricating liners make them highly suited for:
- Aircraft landing gear and control systems
- Actuation systems within aerospace mechanisms
- Satellite and spacecraft structural joints
- Defense equipment requiring high reliability under demanding conditions
These bearings provide enhanced durability, reduced maintenance requirements due to self-lubrication, and operational efficiency across broad temperature ranges encountered in aerospace environments.
Related Standards
- EN 4540: Aerospace series technical specification for spherical plain bearings with self-lubricating liners, complementing EN 4538-2 by covering performance and testing requirements.
- EN 2030: Defines the steel specifications for hardened and tempered inner ring materials.
- EN 3161: Specifies corrosion-resistant steel grades and treatments for outer ring production.
- EN 2424: Covers the marking of aerospace products including bearings for traceability.
- ISO 1132-1: Provides essential terms and definitions related to rolling bearing tolerances referenced within the standard.
- ISO 8075: Aerospace guideline for surface treatment of hardenable stainless steel parts, relevant to manufacturing conformity.
This standard ensures spherical plain bearings used in aerospace and defense assemblies meet stringent quality, dimensional, and performance criteria, supporting the safety and efficiency of critical aerospace mechanisms. Utilizing bearings compliant with EN 4538-2:2014 guarantees consistent operation in extreme temperatures while offering corrosion resistance and fatigue durability essential for demanding aerospace applications.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP)
Global cooperative program for special process quality in aerospace.
NSF-ISR
NSF International Strategic Registrations.
Orion Registrar Inc.
US-based certification body for management systems.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 4538-2:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Aerospace series - Bearings, spherical plain, in corrosion resisting steel with self-lubricating liner elevated load under low oscillations - Narrow series - Dimensions and loads - Part 2: Inch series". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies the characteristics of spherical plain bearing in corrosion resistant steel, with self-lubricating liner, narrow series, elevated load under low oscillations applications. They shall be used in the temperature range – 55 °C to 163 °C.
This European Standard specifies the characteristics of spherical plain bearing in corrosion resistant steel, with self-lubricating liner, narrow series, elevated load under low oscillations applications. They shall be used in the temperature range – 55 °C to 163 °C.
EN 4538-2:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 49.035 - Components for aerospace construction. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 4538-2:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 3161:2007, EN 4540:2011, EN ISO 25178-606:2015. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 4538-2:2014 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Aeronavtika - Kroglasti drsni ležaji iz korozijsko odpornega jekla s samomazalno oblogo in z zvišano obremenitvijo pod nizkimi nihanji - Ozki tip - Mere in nosilnosti - 2. del: Colski tipLuft- und Raumfahrt - Gelenklager, aus korrosionsbeständigem Stahl mit selbstschmierender Beschichtung, hohe Belastung bei geringer Drehbewegung - Schmale Reihe - Maße und Belastungen - Teil 2: Inch ReiheSérie aérospatiale - Rotules, en acier résistant à la corrosion à garniture autolubrifiante à charge élevée sous faibles oscillations - Série étroite - Dimensions et charges - Partie 2: Série en inchesAerospace series - Bearings, spherical plain, in corrosion resisting steel with self-lubricating liner elevated load under low oscillations - Narrow series - Dimensions and loads - Part 2: Inch series49.035Sestavni deli za letalsko in vesoljsko gradnjoComponents for aerospace constructionICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 4538-2:2014SIST EN 4538-2:2014en,fr,de01-oktober-2014SIST EN 4538-2:2014SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 4538-2
July 2014 ICS 49.035 English Version
Aerospace series - Bearings, spherical plain, in corrosion resisting steel with self-lubricating liner elevated load under low oscillations - Narrow series - Dimensions and loads - Part 2: Inch series
Série aérospatiale - Rotules, en acier résistant à la corrosion à garniture autolubrifiante à charge élevée sous faibles oscillations - Série étroite - Dimensions et charges - Partie 2: Série en inches
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Gelenklager, aus korrosionsbeständigem Stahl mit selbstschmierender Beschichtung, hohe Belastung bei geringer Drehbewegung - Schmale Reihe - Maße und Belastungen - Teil 2: Inch Reihe This European Standard was approved by CEN on 21 March 2013.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 4538-2:2014 ESIST EN 4538-2:2014
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...